Kamuro

[SIZE=1]I've seen genre specific threads before but none for my favorite genre, hardcore. I know some of you aren't fans of this kind of music (Jake), but I think it deserves a lot of recognition and you all should take notice to some of it's bands. I know a lot of you enjoy metal, and hardcore is simply not your style, but a lot of bands combine some metal qualities into their music and it makes for a righteous sound. Here I'll be listing some of my favorite hardcore bands I think you guys should check out. For my favorites I'll write an explanation and the others I'll simply list. I'd love for you guys to give them a listen and tell me what you think afterwards having never heard them before. If you don't have a way of to download music simply use [URL]www.purevolume.com[/URL] and you'll be able to listen to a few choice songs and get a feel for the band. [B]As Cities Burn [/B] - Post Hardcore / Hardcore / Rock [B]Favorite Album [/B] - Son, I Loved You At Your Darkest [B]Favorite Songs [/B] - 1. Wake Dead Man, Wake 2. Love Jealous One, Love As Cities Burn is a Christian band, which I know some of you dislike, but they produce really good music. They havn't been around all that long but have already created quite a name for themselves in the world of hardcore. As many others do they combine heartwrenching screams with melodic singing to create an amazing style of music. The vocals are solid and with fantastic breakdowns it makes them seem even better on the harder songs. The lyrics aren't bad and I think given the chance a lot of people will love this band. [B]Stutterfly [/B] - Hardcore / Alternative / Metal [B]Favorite Album [/B] - And We Are Bled of Color [B]Favorite Songs [/B] - 1. Through Me 2. Gun in Hand Stutterfly isn't all that well known but the music they produce is really fantastic for a more or less fledging band in the industry. Although I dislike some of their songs for the most part this band produces solid music and offers something a little different for the average hardcore fan to listen to. Not only do they have the insane metal-like songs, but they have softer, slower ones for those of you looking for something a little less hard. [B]The Bled [/B] - Hardcore / Metal [B]Favorite Album [/B] - Pass the Flask [B]Favorite Songs [/B] - 1. Sound of Sulfur 2. Nothing We Say Leaves This Room The Bled, to my surprise, has become a pretty popular band. After listening I found them to be a truly amazing band, but as you know some of the best bands never get the recognition they deserve. The Bled is of a much harder variety then the bands I've mentioned before. Those of you who enjoy metal will probably like this band, since they blend a lot of the two genres together in their music. [B]Haste the Day [/B] - Hardcore / Metal / Screamo [B]Favorite Album [/B] - When Everything Falls [B]Favorite Songs [/B] - 1. Breaking My Own Heart 2. Long Way Down Haste the Day is Christian hardcore and possesses a very talented high-pitched screamer. They also produce harder music then a lot of the other bands and I love them for it. They stay true to their roots and their music always uses the same basis. Having a firm foundation allows them to alter the music and make even better songs yet still hold the same amazing sound that they've become known for. Across Five Aprils - Hardcore / Rock / Metal Favorite Album - A Tragedy In Progress Favorite Songs - 1. Hearts, Necks, and Other Things That Break 2. Helpless Dreams of an Assassin Alexisonfire - Hardcore / Indie / Punk Favorite Album - Alexisonfire Favorite Songs - 1. Pulmonary Archery 2. Where No One Knows Bleed the Dream - Hardcore / Screamo / Rock Favorite Album - Built By Blood Favorite Songs - 1. Legends Die 2. Black Skys Dead Poetic - Hardcore / Rock / Screamo Favorite Album - New Medicines Favorite Songs - 1. Taste the Red Hands 2. Hostages Fear Before the March of Flames - Hardcore / Metal / Emo Favorite Album - Odd How People Shake Favorite Songs - 1. One the Brightside, She Could Choke 2. Given to Dreams The Dillinger Escape Plan - Hardcore / Screamo / Metal Favorite Album - Miss Machine Favorite Songs - 1. Baby's First Coffin 2. Panasonic Youth The Chariot - Hardcore / Metal Favorite Album - Everything Is Alive, Everything Is Breathing Favorite Songs - 1. The Company, The Comfort, The Grave 2. Goodnight My Lady and a Forever Farewell The Number Twelve Looks Like You - Hardcore / Metal / Screamo Favorite Album - Nuclear. Sad. Nuclear. Favorite Songs - 1. Don't Get Blood On My Prada Shoes 2. Like A Cat Well, those are some of my favorites. Feel free to list your own or voice your opinions on the band's I've listened. What are your favorite hardcore bands? Favorite Songs? Albums? Anything hardcore. And don't dispute the genres I've listed for each band, it's what the band calls themselves so take it up with them![/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]No surprises here... Favorite Band: [B]Atreyu[/B] What can I say, I love the band. Not having been around all that long they're already insanely popular and whatever shows I go to they're always packed. They play awesome live and basically awesome in general lol. Alex (their singer) has really got into the groove and I've seen them play over hour long sets without him losing his voice or becoming to rasp. "Suicide Notes and Butterfly Kisses," is my favorite of their CD's and I encourage you all to go get it, NOW.[/SIZE]

[CENTER][SIZE=1][B]Name[/B]: Hanshi Shoujo [B]Age[/B]: 18 [B]Gender[/B]: Male [B]Role[/B]: Tiger Disciple [B]Appearance[/B]: [URL=http://tinypic.com/a4xy5s.jpg][I]Shoujo[/I][/URL] [B]Weapon[/B]: [I]Ichigin[/I] A single long sword shown in the picture above. Despite the plain sheath, the sword itself gleams with unmentionable luster. The blade, never having truly been cleaned, retains it's glimmer even after the bloodiest of battles. [B]Power[/B]: Ichigin allows for wind manipulation while using the sword. Shoujo has miner power over metal, and is hoping to learn more from his master. [B]Personality[/B]: Shoujo is a very estute, logical thinker. He rarely acts on impulse and for the most part controls his emotions adequately. He is loyal to the master of the Tiger Arts and only them. He has no intention of making friends and plans to devote his life solely to the arts and fighting mastery. He hopes to become an esteemed warrior and have his name known all throughout the nations. With the help of the Tiger Master he intends to add to his arsenal of magical abilities as well as his physical ones. Although he dislikes taking orders he obeys the master with utmost respect and allegiance. [B]Character Snippit[/B]: Shoujo sat quietly in a room containing only himself and various metals. This was the room he used for training and the best place he could find for the utmost concentration. Since aquiring Ichigin he had been able to manipulate wind and advance his abilities in the surrounding areas. He hadn't yet mastered the sword but was quite good with it and was close to learning the final technique. Aside from that he was attempting to learn metal manipulation. The Tiger had showed him simple tricks and things to practice, but he found it hard to do even the smallest of tasks. Power over wind had come naturally to him but this power was new and somewhat of a mystery. When using Ichigin he could feel the power flow through him and was able to use his mind to access and control it. The metal power was not only mental, but also took a great deal of physical strength to master. Your mind was responsible for the completed vision but your body and it's essence was responsible for the actual change in the metal itself. He trained endlessly, with and without the material to increase his strength in any way he could. But no matter what he did his power always paled in comparison to his master's. He wasn't sure if he'd ever be able to use the ability, let alone master it. Even in such a quiet room all these thoughts cluttered his insides and he found it hard to concentrate. But he had to try. And so he closed his eyes and cleared his mind of everything that was bothering him. In his hands was an old sword, the blade untempered and scarred from years of fighting. As he closed his eyes he could feel the cold steel at his fingertips, his hands closing tightly around the blade. The edge began to dig into his palms, blood seeping from their creases and falling to the floor. He could feel it, but he knew he was close. His body tensed as his grip tightened on the blade. Soon he could feel the distortion within his moistened grasp, it was changing. As he opened his eyes he looked down and saw a new sword, the blade completely transformed and looked just as if it was made. Covered in blood he dropped it to the floor, smiling slightly. He had finally done it, his first real manipulation of metal. And as he laughed quietly to himself he fell to the floor, fainting from fatigue. [B]OOC: Hope this alright ULX.[/B][/SIZE][/CENTER]

[COLOR=SlateGray][SIZE=1][I]Searching Database...[/I] [I]Found - Project Gale[/I] [B]Code Name / Call Sign[/B]: Gale [B]Gender[/B]: Android Male [B]Location[/B]: Germany [B]Age[/B]: Unknown [B]Personal Appearance[/B]: [I]Picture -[/I] [URL=http://tinypic.com/a4wgnr.jpg][COLOR=SlateGray][I]Gale[/I][/COLOR][/URL] Gale is a battle android developed specifically for war. It's body size is the same as a normal middle-aged person, maybe a bit larger. It assumes this stature so that it is easily maneuverable and quick in battle. This allows for a weaker defense, yet a still solid one. It's armor is of an ivory shade lined with red in most areas. The underworkings are black and usually kept hidden by the body's armor. [B]Personality/Behavior[/B]: [I]Mech Host - Robert Franz[/I] Project Gale is inoperable without first fusing a human personality to the body and evolving social tendencies. The following is an entry written by Doctor Volädische, the originator of Project Gale, describing his human characteristics after several hours of before and after observation. [INDENT][I]After researching Robert's personal history I realized him to be the perfect candidate for Project Gale. He had little ties to the outside world and as far as I was concerned he wouldn't be missed. All that knew him only observed basic personality traits. He seldom interacted with many people but most all say that when he did he was polite and respectful. Those that worked with him in a special branch of the government called him a vigilante. He was known for thinking outside the box, and looking at things from a whole different perspective. Even though he sometimes "went against the grain," or so they say, he was a very respected worker and there was no report of misconduct within the industry. He had been questioned several times about certain activities not pertaining to his job but the charges were always dropped. After doing some research myself I learned that he had indeed been doing dishonest activities, but not immoral ones. I am unable to specify his area of work in this report but he was a "robin hood" of sorts among those who had worked with him. Often taking from those blessed with wealth and offering it to the less fortunate. After the accident his body was rendered useless but his mind was still sharp and witty as ever. Although he showed no signs of physical life, our computers confirmed active brainpower and that he was indeed still alive. After fusing his mind with Gale it took quite awhile to get him to open up. He was very confused and bewildered at his physical state. This was the first time anything like this had been attempted but it seemed to go flawlessly. He was still Robert Franz, just physically different than before. His mind was truly amazing, one of the best I've ever seen. He could solve even the most complicated of puzzles in small amounts of time and often enjoyed debating with me on certain subjects. He was developed to be a weapon, and his strong mind matched Gale's physical ability perfectly[/I].[/INDENT] [B]Personal History[/B]: [I]Robert Franz - History[/I] Robert was born in Germany and has lived there his entire life. As a child he was treated differently and more was expected of him. He showed knowledge well beyond his years and excelled all through school. Upon entering college he became interested in mechanics and working with advanced technology. His first and only job was for the government, developing new age weapons and other mechanical devices to aid it's country. The only family Robert had was his parents, who both died soon after his college graduation. He was distraught but his work allowed him an escape from the pain life had dealt him. Instead of mourning he would spend hours toiling away in his workshop, setting aside his personal feelings and putting his ambitions where he believed they were most deserved and appreciated. His total dedication allowed for quick rising in government rank, allowing him access to much more information and pieces to work with concerning mechanics. From then on his social life went downhill. It was said he had a girlfriend at one time and even a child, but if he had there was no record of it. He lived solely for his work and the government liked it that way. Years of advancement lead to the developing technology of android and metallic lifeforms. He became increasingly interested in Project Gale and substituted all the knowledge he could to help it's advancement. He thought it was amazing, combining human cells with robot mechanics allowing for a much stronger lifeform then the original. Although he never met personally with the scientist behind the project his estute dedication offered himself as a priority for the research. Yet soon after he was involved in a tragic accident, leaving his body useless and unable to move. Even through the perilous physical pain his mind was still intact, and better then ever most say. Then came Doctor Volädische, the man behind Project Gale. He had been looking for the perfect specimen to enhance the android and he found Robert to fit all the specifications he needed. And so it was done. Robert's mind was fused to the metallic frame of Gale and was expected to reside there for the rest of his life. His voice was analyzed, allowing for discussion as if he was human, and his mental state was stable, but physically he was very different from other humans. It took time for him to come to terms with his body but after doing so he grew to almost like it. However, he didn't like the lack of freedom within the facility. His life of selcusion as a human had left him wanting to the see world and experience everything he'd already missed out on. He knew it was impossible to do some things, he believed he was given this chance for a reason and soon left the facility in pursuit for his neverending happiness. Along the way he met with The Legionnaires, a somewhat radical group that was interested in having him join. He was reluctant at first but in the end found it the best way to see the world and meet new people. He was eager to oblige and soon became a well-known member of the team. [B]Special Skills or Abilities[/B]: [I]Project Gale - Abilities[/I] The Gale android is equipped with several different weaponry attributes and physical enhancements to aid in battle. It was designed as a war mech and therefore is most useful in battle. Robert is a special case, and possesses a strong mind as well, but the android is much more physically based. Forming an 'X' across it's back are two swords, resembling ordinary ones. They are specially tempered and may combat weapons as well as other mechanical enemies. The blades are especially sharp and for this reason are used with great caution. At the mechs right is a specially forged sniper weapon equipped for long range battle and stealth endeavors. It's seperate attachments and ammunition allow for both all-out war and quiet swift engagements. Along with it's attack abilities the android is equipped with the latest armor and protection capabilities. Wings allow the robot to fly and are usually used as an evasion tactic, but may also be used for attack purposes as well. There are several other in's and out's of the android that Robert has yet to learn and use, but he trains each day to become the best host he can and use the mech to it's fullest potential. [I]End transmission...[/I] [B]OOC: Hope this alright, if anything needs changing just PM me.[/B] [/SIZE][/COLOR] [SIZE=1]I'm available anytime really. School will be starting back up soon but I don't expect to be to busy. I can post daily if it's necessary. My posts will probably be a little more graphic so I usually give them an M rating. I'm pretty flexible though, not partial to any style of writing.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I hated those god forsaken FF X orb puzzles. The later ones were so complicated it took forever to get them right without the use of a walkthrough or some type of aid to help you along. Xenosaga II has some pretty good puzzles. Some are very simple but others can provide quite the challenge. Luckily most of the puzzles don't actually have to be solved. You can play through the game doing minimum amounts of puzzles, however you always get something for beating them. It's worth it in the long run since a lot of the prizes provide skills for your characters to adapt.[/SIZE]

[QUOTE=sakurasuka][CENTER][SIZE=1]I sort of agree with you here, but... I think all people should respect everyone else even if it's just because we're all human beings. Noone should judge others for thier beliefs/race/gender/sexual prefferences/or ANYTHING like that. But... People just do. Right there you've judged Christians, and all through this thread people have been judging Christians. I don't just look at anyone who doesn't think like me and say 'Well... He's going to hell.' because I just think that's wrong. there are people who judge non-Christians, but there are just as many on the other side judging back.[/SIZE][/CENTER][/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]Thats the point I was trying to make before. You personally don't judge people who aren't Christian. You don't say we're going to Hell, but your religion does lol. Your religion is what you believe in isn't it? So you do believe that if you don't have faith in God then you'll go to hell? So even without blatantly saying "hey, you're going to hell," it's what you think will happen? So how is someone like me, someone who holds a different opinion then your own, supposed to respect a belief that condemns me and expects me to suffer eternally for not believing in the same things that you do? Which leads to the generalization of Christians. You're different, each Christian is different then the next, yet you all hold dear the same religious beliefs, the belief that I'll go to Hell and pay the price for believing in something different.[/SIZE] [quote name='sakurasuka][CENTER][SIZE=1]I live how I choose (And I know others do too) and I don't think there's anything wrong with those who live thier lives away from God. It just doesn't happen to be what I personally do. I don't tell you to join my faith, you don't tell me to stray from mine, agreed? ;)[/SIZE'][/CENTER][/quote] [SIZE=1]Same as the points I made above, you're seperating yourself from others that follow the same religion. You havn't personally pressured your faith on me, but others have. Many many others lol. Most people I know find it hard to accept that I don't believe in God, some have even shunned me for it. And they were Christian, so I apolgize if my opinion seems biased, but how can it not? We've both been given things to base our opinions on, and I have to work with what I've been given. Analyze the Christians I know and the belief itself. And the conclusion I come to is far from a Christian like yourself lol.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I agree with Retri for the most part. Just as groups are formed in real life, they're formed here. I think it's a bit easier here though. For example, the forum is seperated into different areas allowing people with similar interests to interact freely. So of course people realize certain similarities between them and form a friendship with those they feel closest to within the forum. It's easier to make friends since you're interest and often your intentions are blatant upon entering the forum. You're able to read people's profiles, learn more about them, read their opinions on certain things, and form a bond with their personality without ever having met them before. Some of the larger groups are more obvious then others, but I'm sure that there is tons of people who get along and could be classified as a group, yet no one else really pays attention to them, or they don't advertise it within the forum. I think a good example of groups within OB is the "Otaku Real World" thread I put up awhile ago. Most of the people who posted wanted to be in the house with their friends and those they thought would make for a fun experience. Same as simply forming a group. As well as groups, relationships are formed within the forums. People transcend the friend boundary and become something more. A lot of the time couples like to group with one another and simply the long distance relationship is enough to form a common bond. There's a lot of ways to form a "group" lol.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Cybersex is a case by case issue as far as I'm concerned. It can be something sensual and worthwhile, or it can be juvenile and a waste both people's time. People who live far from one another long for physical interaction and cybersex offers an alternative to "face to face" interaction. In these cases even an act as simple as this one can be very intimate and fun, depending on how it's done. In a lot of cases the lack of physical contact makes this one that much better. You have sexual urges yet can't fulfill them without being unfaithful to your partner, so an alternative like this one works fine. However, the internet is full of pervs and retards who would cyber with anyone or anything having the chance to do so. This is what makes the act juvenile and meaningless. Just like regular sex, it's nice to actually have some feelings for the other person and in a lot of cases it's just random hornyness. What's the point of having casual sybersex? lol. And on that note, it is cheating. Some people joke around about it and I don't really think that means anything. You can tell when the interaction is serious and someone is attempting to get pleasure by talking to another person. Although not as serious as physical interaction, most still consider it cheating all the same.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]It's hard not to generalize a religion. They are a group of people following the same guidlines and holding close to them the same entity of life. Whether some are nice and some aren't, they're all Christian, so it's tough not to simply group them together and say "there's a religion," and then draw a conclusion from it. Sure, some are more extreme then others, but from the outside looking in it's all one group of people. Whatever you decided to classify the "debate" as, it's useless to argue over God and evolution, since it's obviously not going anywhere. Those who believe in evolution say "there's plenty of evidence proving it's true!" and then those believing in God say "you're thinking to theoretically, have faith!" lol. They both contradict themselves and come to a stalemate on almost all the issues. All I'm saying, is whether or not it's right, people should respect one another and their beliefs. A lot of the time, this isn't the case. Whether Christian or Atheist, neither has the right to condemn the other for the way they think and what they choose to believe. That's the whole idea of freedom of religion, to believe what you want without being persectued for it. And legally, you can't be persecuted for it, so the law works to a certain extent. But socially, people are persecuted everyday for being different. People who don't believe in God are looked down upon and no matter the points they make to defend themselves, people say "it doesn't matter, they're going to hell anyway." Well how fair and just is that? You're given the right to worship how you choose yet an opposing religion is based on the fact that having conflicting beliefs is wrong and you should be punished for them. The government does it's job to broaden religious beliefs, yet the beliefs themselves seclude people from one another and cause fueds and debates like this over what's right and what isn't. Which is really a mute point in my opinion. Whether evolution or God is responsible for why we're here, we've been given free will for a reason. Even if you are Christian, is it so bad living life for yourself rather then God? You've been given the opportunity to live yet it's become so restricted over the years free will is merely a title and holds no substantial ground. Is it so bad to branch from your own religion and realize other walks of life? Even the best Christian's sin, but why should you be sorry for it? If things happen for a reason then why should you regret the things you've done and the events that've brought you here today? So you've made mistakes, everyone does, but you've grown from them. Sins might not be the most favorable tasks, but they help you to grow and become the person you're striving to be. Whether it's for God, yourself, or another spiritual entity, your life is your own. Fate could very well be true, but free will allows us to determine our own destiny, so whether it was planned or not, it's the choices we've made that got us there. Just be open, and accept people for who they are.[/SIZE]

[CENTER][SIZE=1][B]Name:[/B] Heath Arcway [B]Age:[/B] 25 [B]Appearence:[/B] [URL=http://tinypic.com/a431vt.jpg][I]Heath[/I][/URL] Heath has a very casual look, never found in anything remotely expensive. He prefers to be comfortable in his wardrobe, long cotton shorts, a loose plaid shirt, and cushioned sandles for his feet. His hair is usually messy and unkempt, so he wears an old leather cap to cover it most of the time. Even on the darkest of days he wears sunglasses, no one really knows why. He also wears gloves, full of holes and a little tight, but to his liking most of the time. His most noteable feature are his tattoos. Various tribal signs and other symbols can be found throughout his body. None show any color, each one being done in the darkest of black ink. His looks aren't the most favorable ones, but he enjoys them just fine. Every part of his physical appearence serves a purpose or means something to him in one way or another. He expects people to accept him the way he is, and not expect change on their behalf. [B]Abilities:[/B] [I]Invisibility[/I] Heath has the power of being able to conceal himself from people's physical vision. His powers are limited and he is only able to stay invisible for a certain amount of time. As he grows older and stronger, the limits decrease and he becomes more in touch with his mental ability. He has yet to branch out from the original tactic and learn new things to do with his power, but he hopes to make better use of it in the coming years of his life. [B]OOC: Hope this alright, if anything needs to be changed just ask.[/B][/SIZE][/CENTER]

[quote name='duStAnDteArS']why are we so scared to believe in God? you can't be totally self sufficeint , you can't show God humans can evolve wihtout him! the guy that made up the thoery of evolution also hated god and wanted to prove him wrong and his real father too! guess what? evolution is stil JUST a THEORY, its not proven its a THeory. if you don't believe in god it shows your ignorance, and you refuse to be open minded about it. you are only hurting your selves! what do we have to lose by believe in the father, jesus christ and every other frickin so called saint? NOTHING. God loves you and will give you evrythign you could ever want and need . don't be a hypocrit and close the eyes of your heart to unseen beauty of the world! did you ever think of death, what willhapen when you die? do you believe that we just die seep into the ground,? picture it in your mind the smallest child who dies at birth(and dont say god killed his own child1.) everythign bad in this world coems from the devil and it is up to us to face him and fight him 2.) the child is w/ god now anyhow) , somethign so small and innocent will just cease to exist? no. we have a soul that give us life and spirit to this dirty piece of flesh we call a body! i believe in god, i am a christian , i belong to no religion but my own.... you can contradict me all you want! say what you think is right, but your life will always be missing something till you find the creator! gods words are sharper then any two=edged sword so try and defeat me1!!!!!!!!!! you can't.[/quote] [SIZE=1]wow, lots to say about this [I]"evolution is stil JUST a THEORY,"[/I] heres some news, God is still just a theory. Just as evolution can't be written down on paper and scientifically proven, neither can God. You can show no more evidence that God exists then I can that evolution does. All these fairy tale stories, the bible, which wasn't even written by God in the first place, none of it proves anything. [I]"if you don't believe in god it shows your ignorance, and you refuse to be open minded about it,"[/I] that statement is as narrow-minded as they come. Just as others have decided not to believe in God and respect his beliefs, you do the same to their own. Your eyes are so focused on God you don't see the other happenings of the world and things going on around you. Whether you believe in God or not, you won't live a fulfilling life closing yourself off to other possibilities. The only way mankind makes strides in all fields of life is thinking outside the box, not simply accepting what we're given and settling for it. [I]"what do we have to lose by believe in the father, jesus christ and every other frickin so called saint? NOTHING,"[/I] well what do you have to lose by believing in people, or even in yourself? Is it so scary to stray away from God and get to know other ways of life before simply judging them and condemning them as ignorant? Did it ever occur to you that maybe these people have a certain religion because it makes them happy? You preach about God and how he brings eternal happiness, but it's possible to find joy and fulfillment elsewhere. We don't rely solely on God for our own happiness, and that scares you. [I]"gods words are sharper then any two=edged sword so try and defeat me1!!!!!!!!!!,"[/I] perhaps you meant double-edged sword? And you're right, this matter is a double-edged sword, you used the expression wrong, but the true meaning still holds some truth nonetheless. It's a double-edged sword because for every remark you made there is an equal and opposite one to take into consideration. As blind as you believe us to be, you exude the same characteristic and even more so in most cases. You have found happiness with God, and that's great, but that doesn't mean it's whats right for everyone. If someone is happy worhshipping another entity, or none at all, then who are you to question their happiness? You believe in God, but by no means do you have his power or his right to pass religious judgement upon others. God wishes to promote the religion freely, not opress those who share a conflicting belief. And as I've said before, it is a sin to pass judgement upon those who aren't Christian like yourself. So you're time at church this Sunday will be well spent repenting for all your sins. Thanks Kamuro "the Heretic" lol[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I was referring to Seether merely because of their popularity concerning the song "Broken," which was more or less a one hit wonder. No other song by Seether has become near as popular, and I'm not a fan of the band really. They have lots of mellow songs, which are alright if that's what you're into, but even the upbeat songs don't impress me much. I consider them an MTV rock band because when "Broken" was popular it was on TV ALL the time. Just watch MTV All Things Rock and you'll see the more current MTV rock bands. The Click Five, Relient K, Velvet Revolver, Papa Roach, etc. etc. Papa Roach being the only band that mildly appeals to me among the many on the show.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I support Jake, as usual lol. Even after hearing "So Cold" I wasn't all that impressed. Sure, the song was catchy and it'll get stuck in your head after a couple listens, but once you get down to the dirt of the album you'll be disappointed. From the outside looking in you'll probably see a very talented band, but it's far from their true nature. As Jake stated, the band was merely for show. They seldom write their own lyrics, the music is repeatative and boring. There just isn't any passion, even at live shows they just don't seem all that into it. Of course, they've found droves of fans just as all the other MTV rock bands have. Music they call "rock" because it simply includes a guitar, it's basically pop with some rifts involved. And their popularity will decline as all the others have, Nickelback, Seether, Limp Bizkit, all the same.[/SIZE]

[CENTER] Red made his way crisply down the rough wooden stairs into the depths of the Meran patrol ship. He found himself in a long open hallway with rooms lined along the width of both walls. The captain could be in any of them, some could even hold traps or more soldiers. He closed his eyes tight, bursting into a run and nearly disappearing from plain veiw. Almost instantly he was at the end of the corridor, and along each wall the doors blew open, metal handles and wood fragments flying in every direction. Red had thrown acute circular bombs into the keyhole of each and every door, opening them all for inspection by the rest of his team. Soldiers poured out of the rooms, splitting up and making their way towards both ends of the hallway. Red sighed, it could be harder then he though to find the captain. The group was soon upon him, swinging their swords as he dodged quickly, avoiding as many as he could. He did his best avoid the walls as he threw even smaller bombs in their direction, sending them flying back towards their teammates. He didn't want to sink the ship, but it would be impossible to kill them all with merely a sword or pistol. As they came at him again he threw a smoke bomb to the ground, disappearing and then reappearing again at the upper deck. There had to be a better way to do this. [/CENTER]

[SIZE=1]Rhett was shoved back and forth violently as the passersby ran towards the area of lifeboats. He had already been outside, watching as the storm progressed. He was a little confused of what his chances might be. Should he make his way through the confused throng of passengers or simply dive into the water and hope for the best? Without much thought he removed his jacket, throwing it to the side as he leapt from the boat, his pointed hands the first to meet the cold water, followed by the rest of his arched body. He paddled heavily towards the closest mound of land. The jaded brown of sand just barely visible on the horizon as the water fought back valiantly. Closeby was a boat with only two women aboard. They tried their best to paddle against the current, but without a strong frontal force the boat would flip long before it reached the island. His head hit the raft with a thud, causing them both to jump as he attempted to pull himself in. His fingertips just barely touching the floor, gripping tightly as he flung his dampened body to the bottom of the boat. He sat up quickly, shaking the hair from his face and grabbing a paddle. "Hey ladies," he said jokingly, making his way to the front of the boat and slamming his ore against the salty water below. They both looked at him skeptically, but neither would deny help at such a desperate time. "Both of you paddle as hard as you can, I'll keep us on course and get us as close to the island as possible!" he shouted back at them. "What do you mean "close"? We've got to make it to the island," one of them spoke up, her face worried and covered by locks of moistened hair. "We won't be able to make it all the way, but we'll get close. Just swim as hard as you can, we'll make it, I promise." Rhett assured them, nodding in her direction so she might attempt to paddle and help save them. The water never ceased in it's violent attempt to keep the boat from it's destination. The weather was relentless, Rhett's hair flapping wildly in the wind as the jets of water splashed over the edge of the boat, knocking him from side to side. He took the brunt of the ocean's fury, and it was beginning to wear on him. As they approached the island he finally lost control, the boat sliding far to one side and sweeping the ground from under them. Three bodies could be heard crashing into the water below, muffled shouts and splashing from the girls as they attempted to stay afloat. - - - Rhett used all the strength he had left to push himself from the giving sand of the beach. He made it, the muscles in his arms burned coarsely, causing him to wince a bit as he stretched them. Bodies were scattered along the beach, few actually showing signs of life as he walked along the cluttered shore. Soon he found Alexander, another like himself, still able to move after such an intense battle with the unforgiving sea. He was tired, yet agreed to help drag bodies from the shore and into the safety of the nearby jungle. The rest of them began to wake one by one, not at all pleased with their surroundings and the constant release of water from their lungs. Alexander assumed the leader role almost immediately, doing his best to comfort the fellow island inhabitants and form some sort of plan for their stay on the island. As of now, however, we all thought it best to take shelter in a nearby cave. The storm hadn't yet ceased to rage and everyone was still in danger out here in the open. Some of the group seemed skeptical of Alexander and his ideas were already being skewed and second guessed before anything had even happened. Rhett had already formed some sort of unspoken bond with this man and decided to support him in the decision, causing others to follow and branch away from the rebels already making themselves known within the group. As each person spoke up about themselves, Rhett finally decided it was his turn. "The names Rhett," he said, rising from the cold rock floor and regaining balance on his weakened legs. "I don't do much," he said with a laugh, nervously scratching his head as the rest of the team watched on. "But I'm a pretty good swimmer, I might be able to catch us some fish now and then," he said somewhat confidently, attempting to gain the respect of the others. [B]OOC: Hope this is alright.[/B][/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Well, is there a reason you decided to ask this question by putting these bands in the same thread? They're very different. [B]Avenged Sevenfold[/B]: Chapter Four [B]Simple Plan[/B]: Sucks [B]Good Charlotte[/B]: Sucks [B]Hatebreed[/B]: I Will Be Heard (Jake :p ) Out of these four Hatebreed is my favorite.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I really don't understand why you don't like hardcore Jake? I know you dislike bands such as Underoath, which is more screamo anyway, but maybe hardcore means something different to you? lol As I said in another thread, having certain elements from different genre's is a good thing. Don't limit yourself to a certain type of music and close off the possibilities for a different sound. Even if it wasn't what you previously intended, you might just like the way it turns out after everything is said and done. You seem to have your heart set on a lot of the band's elements, which is good, but sometimes you just have to compromise to create the best work possible. As I said before, having a girl singer is great, but it also means it's even more important to have her around while creating the music. No offense to the opposite sex or anything lol, but from my own experience, female singers are more picky about the sound of the music. What you think sounds great, she might not like all that much. And depending on her personality she might just decide to change it. Compromising is a big deal concerning bands. I'm sure you know already, even without a singer. Everyone has different ideas and things they'd like to do. It's important to consider everything so that the band's happy [I]and[/I] the music sounds good.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]The band is mostly Death Metal. There are certain songs that unintentionally sound a bit on the hardcore side, but the band is definitely Death Metal. Songs like "Confined" give off a more hardcore feel, in my opinion. I love the song, it's just a bit different from the usual stuff, especially from "Frail Words Collapse." It's not bad to have a hardcore element to the music. Some of the best Death Metal out there is inspired and thought after other rock genres. Being able to combine two of the same is a talent, not a burden. And try not to double post Hells Angel. Different font doesn't mean it's ok lol.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Thanks to both of you for replying to work. I'll just go down the line of comments I guess lol. [I]Gavin[/I] I decided to post all my works in one thread since I did expect people to reply, and if they didn't, then there really was no purpose in posting more work anyway lol. If they hadn't liked or felt the need to comment on my first collection then I'd just assume the second would go over just the same. "Me and You" is about the very beginning of a relationship. I believe when I wrote this I wasn't actually in a relationship at all. I had feelings for her and I felt she had the same for me, so this is sort of me worrying about diving into another relationship and hoping it works out for the best. Relationships can cause a lot of pain but if you never take chances then you won't find the love you're searching for. The morbid poetry is a bit more graphic, yet I still believe it to be tasteful. Everyone has these types of feelings, anger, sadness, etc. I try to form an analogy for these with everyday situations or specific objects. "Casualties of Mail" is a good example of this. Although the poem itself pertains to a letter, it can be directly related to the relationship itself. The anxiety, pain, irony, all exemplified in the poem by a letter, can be seen in all kinds of past interactions with people or certain relationships. The songs are a bit tough, but until I can get all of them on the computer and allow you to listen it's a bit hard to explain lol. For now just try to read them like poems and accept it for the idea rather then melodic justification. [I]Generic[/I] lol, descriptive critques and intense POV's concerning the work is nice, but simple opinions are fine as well. I was glad to read your compliments and accept them all with a smile ---> :animesmil . I'm still very young, so my experiences are somewhat limited. In the few years I've spent here, however, I've found a lot of hurt. I don't like to tell sob stories so I won't go into it, but a lot of the time writing helps to deal with pain. This leaves lots of bitter works and morbid ideals, that although unhappy, all of us are able to relate to. I try to express my feelings without taking a "whiny" aspect on them. I'd like to share my experiences with others, not simply complain about them. However, there is plenty of happy moments in my life, and I'll try to exemplify those a bit more with this post's writing. - - - [I]Poems[/I] [B]"I Hope You Call"[/B] I wonder if you and I would ever talk if I stopped making a point to call you or come see you at work. Would it bother you at all when I wasn't around anymore? Would you even notice? Would your life pass on without another thought of me until you pass me on the street one day. By then its too late and all you know about me is my name, so you don't stop to make small talk or catch up because you are in a hurry and I don't matter. I think of you, you're amazing... I hope you call. [B]"Playing Dead"[/B] Artificial breaths keep you close to me Yet sentimental thoughts pull you farther away Wishing that I was the man that you wanted Instead of the boy you'd come to know Hoping you live to see tomorrow And swearing I'd be there to hold you still Refusing to promise from my indiscretions As your hand turns cold your lips tint blue [I]Songs[/I] [B]"Running On Empty"[/B] Dear friend you ran away so fast did you get where you wanted or did running in circles swallow you whole or did you run without thinking again you're running on empty and you've lost the things you need you come to me for help and reject my advice I?m tired of this cycle I?m tired of this tired cycle I used to think I knew you well but now I don?t know you at all you now enjoy the things you once condemned I want to let you know I miss you lost friend I know that this isn't over I?m praying for you dear friend I hope you find what you've been looking for and realize it's all nothing without him [B]"Feature Presentation"[/B] so here's your feature presentation the lights are down and the spotlight's on me will I screw up and make this a tragedy or will I make you laugh and save this as a comedy this play seems so familiar I swear I?ve heard this script before when every day feels like its yesterday I find myself wanting something more and when the credits begin to roll will I see your name next to mine did you help me end that boring and ordinary day that just wouldn't fade away these days are old and stale I?m waiting for something monumental to happen these days are old and stale I?m waiting for me and you to happen this day seems so familiar I swear we've done this all before why don't we stop living like yesterday and turn what we have into something more? [I]Quotes[/I] - "We were born and raised the same way so what gives you the right to say at least I'm not a liar?" - "I've sunken in the quicksands of love, and I don't want you to rescue me. Screw what my supposed friends think, it's obvious they reek of jealousy." - "Your chest would heave with pride if I were spoken of, till tonight I never knew the difference between comfort and love." - "According to you we don?t click, that?s a blatant lie and you know it. Angel, what are you hiding from me? If there is truly another secret lunch-break, working late lover then I would die, but at least then I?d be free." - "Although everything I said was just a picture in my head. I think we can make it." That's it for todays post.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I'm currently in a band, and we're not all that bad actually (Jake send me a PM if you wanna listen). Anyhow, female vocals might not sound to bad. I'm not really a big fan of any female vocalist, I'm not sexist or anything, I've just always been drawn to the male side of metal. I think a combination might work well. Having a female vocalist yet still being able to scream hardcore and change things up a bit would be more attractive then simply a female singer. To tell you the truth I'm not all that familiar with "Folk Metal" so I don't have much input on that. Some general advice though, don't write to much stuff before actually finding a singer. Chances are you'll have to tweak and change a lot of it before she/he is able to join in and actually sound good. I think it's better to have a singer's input while writing/creating songs so you'll know how the vocal sounds and not just the melody. Sometimes it's hard to peice them together correctly if they've both been created seperately.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]There's other posts to discuss religion, shouldn't this discussion be held there? Or should I open up another thread for cults? Hmm, oh well. If it wasn't already blatantly obvious I'm not a religious person, and rightly so. However, I don't belittle those who decide to have something to believe in, yet even so I have yet to find the same kind of respect in most cases. People of the church (speaking from personal experiences), believe themselves to be better then others who aren't of the same religious state. It's even written in the bible that judging another who isn't Christian is a sin, since they aren't on identical spiritual levels. If people of the church don't altogether shun you for not believing in God, then they'll be reluctant to treat you as an equal. People have told me it doesn't bother them, yet now and then make subtle condescending remarks in my direction. I assure you I am informed on various religions and the bible, so my opinions are not simply mindless babble, for all of you assuming I'm a directionless rebel. I've found that most people of the church find sinning to be ok, since every Sunday they go to church and apologize for what they'd done, yet in my opinion this doesn't make it ok. They accept that they sin, which prevents them from truly trying not to. Sure, they might attempt to, or put on a front for their holy peers, but in the back of their mind there is always that thought of reassurance. So what if I do something wrong, I'll ask for forgiveness from God and it'll be alright. But what about the people who pay for [I]your[/I] consequences? Perhaps it doesn't even matter, they're not Christian anyway.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]First of all, I'm tired of people saying how much they hate labels and then posting threads to discuss them. "I hate labels sooo much, I can't believe people are so ignorant...I'm so punk though," *sigh* Pretty much all these labels stem from music, yet people make so much more out of them and decide to classify people as one or the other. It's music people, music. Music is one of the 40985704398 things you can classify someone by, shouldn't there be something a little more indepth to choose and generalize people for...like personality? I mean, if you're going to classify people, at least do it in a worthwhile fashion so you're not left with friends who simply enjoy the same music. And in the end, the labels really don't mean anything at all. People see something visual they like, so they decide to act "punk" or "goth." So half the people you're left with weren't even classified properly since all you've seen is a front they created. Would you like to base your life on a genre of music? In a thread I posted about "emo," I came to the realization that there was nothing I could do about the label, so I merely wanted to understand it. I think it's best to do the same here. Just accept that some people care more for your clothes and musical interests then you as a person. And once you realize who these people are, simply discard them from your life.[/SIZE]

[QUOTE=James]While we're on this subject, I think it is [i]slightly[/i] incorrect to simply say that Iran and some other countries "aren't as far along as we are", in a social sense. Do not forget that Iran wasn't always as restrictive as it is now. Before the revolution, Iran was significantly more open and socially developed - it wasn't required for women to wear the head scarf (and many didn't). Moreover, the education system was more equal among genders and so on. It was only post-revolution that many of these things regressed once more. So, it's not entirely accurate to think that the laws in Iran were always like this or that there hasn't been any social development. The sad thing is that Iran has actually regressed further into this state, compared to what it was becoming pre-revolution.[/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]Agreed. They have regressed from the prior strides made in the areas of freedom and gender entanglement, yet even at it's best it was far from our own. I'm not taking a "holier then thou" attitude, it's simply fact. Our biggest gender worries consist of "even" wages in the workplace and such, yet in Iran they finally let women walk around without covering their faces! yay! I'm not justifying their actions, merely advocating some understanding, since our own country has exemplified similar segregation in the past. They can call it a revolution, but I'm not sure I'd even go to that extent. A revolution represents some kind of progression, a change for the better, not a step backwards. As you mentioned, they'd just began to open up socially yet now are going in the wrong direction and secluding themselves from other countries. As for other people's comments, I figured Rasetsutaisho would get butchered, and rightly so. People need to think of one another, a perfect example is Africa. They're having so many problems, should we just sit back and let them die or try our best to lend a hand and abolish their poverty. If not for economical reasons then for moral ones. The comment about covering women was utterly ridiculous, and I felt the need to apologize for men everywhere after reading it. Your basis of thought concerned only men and how all their problems stemmed from the uncovered faces of the opposite sex. I doubt one of the essentials for world peace is the covering of women's skin. Although this was off topic, it does deal with treating one another equally. Whether it's men or women, heterosexual or homosexual, people have the right to be treated equally. Having certain beliefs or ideals does not give people the right to degrade them for it. Relate the situation to whatever you like, anything that helps you to understand the right's of other human beings.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Well, I'd hate to bring this up, but a person loving another person and being persecuted for it isn't anything new. Maybe this time it was taken to an extreme and that's why more people took notice to it, but otherwise we should all be use to it by now. I'm not saying it's right, not at all, but after reading it I wasn't at all surprised. In our own country we're just now coming to terms with allowing homosexuals to marry, some of us anyway. We've made great strides in this area yet other places have yet to come to the same conclusions. Democracy and freedom obviously aren't a worldwide ideal, despite George Bush's aspirations. The freedoms we've come to know, and some of us abuse, aren't available to people such as this. What we believe to be wrong, they believe to be justice, and they veiw our practices just the same. However wrong it is, who are we to judge? America's history is far from perfect, and what they're doing now is what we've done in the past, so maybe a little compassion is in order. And as stated above, anyone with decent brainpower might take slight notice to the execution of 4,000 homosexuals in their country. If what they did wasn't wrong, they sure felt the need to lie about it and attempt to falsly justify it. Sure it sounds harsh, but lying and attempting to decieve the government is no way to avoid further prosecution, in any situation.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][B]Name[/B]: Rhett Showalter [B]Age[/B]: 28 [B]Gender[/B]: Male [B]Appearance[/B]: [URL=http://tinypic.com/9tmic6.jpg][I]Rhett[/I][/URL] Rhett is a very layed-back person and although his job requires him to wear a suit, he was never very fond of it. He's often caught loosening his tie or undoing the cuffs of his shirt, trying to find any way of comfort he can. His hair is a bit longer then the average lawyer, yet he does just as well. [B]Personality[/B]: Rhett is an easygoing guy who gets along well with others. He likes to crack jokes and is most likely found with a smile on his face. His knack for working with people landed him a great job as a businessman. Although he doesn't fit the stereotypical mold of the business, his ability to relate to the "common man," as they're called, allows him to defend his clients to the best of his ability. He doesn't have many fans among the other lawyers, his unorthodox methods and young age earned him a lackluster reputation before he even began in the business. However the higher-up's have taken a liking to him and he's yet to lose a case since being accepted into the company. [B]Place in the Group[/B]: Rhett had no plans to be stranded on an island, but it's what happened and he has decided to make the best of it. He does various tasks, his young age coming in handy for the more physical endeavors. He resides mainly as the fishermen of the group. Rather it's collecting shells from the beach or taking a stab at fish with a makeshift spear, he does his best to provide the group with an adequate food supply and other materials of ocean orientation. [B]Special Skills[/B]: Rhett's ability to look on the bright side is something that is easily overlooked. Whether here on the deserted island or at home in the real world. The morale of the group is just as important as the food and shelter. Without any motivation none of the other important tasks are accomplished. Other then that his physical prowess is among the best of the group. By no means does he work-out constantly, but he does like to stay fit and take care of himself adequately. [B]Record of Events[/B]: Rhett laughed a bit to himself, taking a sip of his drink and slouching even farther into his chair. A women from the firm had decided to play along a bit to the "cruise" feel of the trip and do some karaoke. Even the tightest of black collars can loosen up a bit provided the right alcohol. Rhett simply smiled up at her as she swung her hips to the tune of the song. He was closest to the stage, and her eyes flirted with his own as she made a subtle attempt to lick her lips. Rhett just winked back, taking another sip of beer from his bottle's neck and setting it to the table. He enjoyed watching the usually boring people liven up a bit and have some fun. A lawyer's job can be quite stressful, without a release now and then one could go crazy. Living life case by case was no way to do things. Sure, Rhett's job had provided him with great pay and a good way of life. But it was far from the most important thing to him, and stress was a burden he believed unnecessary. As the women finished her song she stumbled a bit, taking a step down from the stage. It was a small ledge, but it must've looked much larger to her, as she lost her balance and fell to the floor. Rhett caught her just in time, dropping to his knees and allowing the women's limp body to find it's place in his arms. She simply laughed, turning over and looking up at him. "Thanks honey," she said, batting her eyes playfully. It was hard for Rhett to deny such an opportunity, and resist those beautiful rosey red cheeks, but it just wouldn't be right. "Try to be more careful next time," he said, helping her to her feet. A frown crossed her face as he placed his hands in his pockets, smiling and nodding towards her as he walked off.[/SIZE]