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Southern Empire Records began in the summer of 2004 as part of the resistance. The commodification of the hardcore/punk scene is disconcerting to those of us who still see ourselves as dissidents, outsiders, rebels, or whatever romantic or pejorative term you choose. We did not begin this label because we needed to pay bills. We did not begin this label because we wanted to see our name in lights. We did not begin this label because there is a dearth of record labels. The label was born out of passion. The passion is music, life, politics, revolution, compassion. For those who still desire change, join us. For those who have fallen in line, step back out.
We would like to hear from anyone interested in working together on projects: bands, poets, writers, photographers, filmmakers, artists, dissidents, revolutionaries, etc. Sure, this is a "record label," but we don't want to limit ourselves to just releasing CDs or records. There are dozens of projects we'd like to be involved in and we know there are folks out there who we'd work well with.
So, let's use this corporate-controlled space to spread dissent. Don't just come to our page as a passive viewer and look at the projects we're working on; communicate with us and let's keep the discourse of dissatisfaction alive. Drop us a line, inform us about what you're doing; suggest ways that we can help each other; and let's use this space to begin a community that will collaboratively foster ideas and galvanize each other in action.
PATH TO MISERY
"Self-titled" CD
MP3 - "
GIANT
"Song" CD
MP3 - "Calvin"
PRAYER FOR CLEANSING
"The Tragedy" CD
MP3 - "Salvation"
USA: $8.00 ppd.
Canada: $10.00 ppd.
World: $12.00 ppd.
USA: $8.00 ppd.
Canada: $10.00 ppd.
World: $12.00 ppd.
USA: $6.00 ppd.
Canada: $8.00 ppd.
World: $10.00 ppd.
OUT OF STEP: FACES OF STRAIGHT EDGE by Raymond McCrea Jones
USA ppd - $18.00
Canada/Mexico ppd - $20.00
World ppd - $25.00
Out of Step: Faces of Straight Edge is the first book from photographer, Ray Jones. The book consists of over 140 pages of beautiful black & white photographs featuring a wide representation of individuals who make up the current straight edge community.
PRAYER FOR CLEANSING "The Tragedy" t-shirt
USA ppd - $12.00
Youth Large
Small
Canada/Mexico ppd - $14.00
Youth Large
Small
World ppd - $16.00
Youth Large
Small
Giant Summer Tour 2006 from David Anthem on Vimeo.
Reviews and Interviews
There are a ton of bands similar to Giant lately, which is obviously both a blessing and a curse. Giant manages to stand out, thanks to carefully structured, legitimately epic songs and standout execution of their ideas. The songs take very basic riffs and connect them in a slow, but constantly evolving way. This gradual development is a commonly attempted idea, but one that’s rarely executed so well. - read the rest of the review at the New Scheme
Read the rest of the review here The five tracks that comprise the fifty-two minute Song are all variations on a downcast, gloomy brand of post-metal, but possess a satisfying if subtle variety.
Song is the kind of album that is best heard with undivided attention, and the softer, sparse sections become downright enthralling at times.
Read the rest of this review at MetalReview.com.
Song unloads five massive tracks in damn near an hour, and should certainly please fans of earlier Isis and the like who prefer substance and sheer force over artsy fartsy stoner-isms.
.The material carries with it an expertly bleak and ominous atmosphere, the delivery never loses steam or gets boring even within tracks that top 12 to 14 minutes, etc. In terms of this particular niche this shit is pure gold, baby.
-Aversiononline.com Read the rest of the review here.
There's a brand new Prayer for Cleansinginterview at Broken Glass Online. This is the abridged version of an interview coming out shortly in a print edition of an Australian 'zine. More information when we get it.
We haven't posted any reviews of Prayer for Cleansing's "The Tragedy" because of how long ago it was released. But, Terrorizer magazine recently included a review of it in their 'Retroaction' section in the newest issue. I'm including the review in its entirety since it can't be accessed online.
Despite only having one real album to speak of and breaking up in 2000, the recordings left behind by esoteric straightedge metalcore pioneers Prayer for Cleansing have been treated as relics by a devout sect inspired by the members' later projects, notably cult vegan metalcore trouple Undying (erroneous, of course, -SER) and much beloved tech-metallers Between the Buried and Me, that led to re-recording of two original songs and a cover at a reunion show in 2004. These songs, their lyrics explained in great detail in the luxurious gatefold along with the motives of each band member for their brief return, are dangerously close to perfection for metalcore; a pure untapped strain of sublime dual-guitar harmonies, melodic death metal riffs and juicy hardcore thump from the era before haircuts. The cover of The Cranberries 'Salvation' is a catchy, groove-laden beast directly constructed with genuine love and reverence for the original material. PFC not only merged Swedish metal and hardcore for the first time but left it with a standard that few have managed to measure up to, and 'The Tragedy' is more than a worthy epitaph.
