Beliefs and Obession

I have a love/hate relationship with the hardcore scene. I'm a big fan of the music but outside a handful of bands I can't listen to it at length anymore. But there are a couple of records that have a special place in my heart.

Shai Hulud's 1997 record "Hearts Once Nourished with Hope and Compassion" is one such album. Musically intense and lyrically thoughtfull I enjoy this record everytime I put it on.

"As we embrace righteousness, we embrace life
Purified, united. set aside from the majority
I will serve as an example to man as hope
By defending those I love with my life
I stand here bold and strong
As a testament to my abstinence
My heart is open; this slate is clean." (Soley Concentrating on the Negative Aspects of Life)


"I can only stand in front of a broken mirror for so long
Staring at the reflection of failed attempts at love and a black heart.
My heart, once nourished with hope and compassion, now is black as death.
Trudging forward, broken, devoid of love
I am nothing more than scars." (Outside the Boundaries of a Friend)


"With so few actions, so many words.
Won't take this complacency anymore.
I won't accept the criticism of my peers
I won't accept this objection.
I cannot judge others lives only to justify my own
One more word and I'm broken
One more word." (Beliefs and Obsession)


"These hand should cleanse your soul of the lust and the greed of this world.
And they call me a fool as they do so well.
Destroy the morality none have known for so long if ever at all
And I would lay down my life to birth a new generation of a righteous culture." (Profound Hatred of Man)


"We grasp at endless questions for a sense of hope
It's not so simple to sit and wait
We cannot embrace our roles blindly

Minds are in suspended animation
Due to an attachment to this established lifestyle
My existence will not be dictated like a reading from a book" (Eating Bullets of Acceptance)


"Sadly I've learned there's no truth in comfort;
Well-being stems not from love.
Anguish proves to be my only means of solace,
Yet I want to be held by anyone,
With any arms" (For the World)