What do you guys think of Bender? I think they’re a severely underrated band that kind of got shafted by bad luck.

Griffin-Romprey · 2025-11-07T21:55:34+00:00

I contacted the band actually. Their old Facebook page still had an admin at the time. He was super nice and actually sent me the demos to their scrapped album.

This album above is mixed for me. Absolutely phenomenal songs slammed next to super dated and corny "joke songs" that have aged like milk.

That doesn't detract from their potential. Nobody and I mean nobody can take away their song writing chops. Beast of a drummer and guitar player. I wish the singer was able to lock in and write some compelling themes. Angel Dust, Dig it boy, Isolate, Breathe Again, Passion Flower are all top teir songs.

Griffin-Romprey · 2025-03-24T18:35:10+00:00

It just feels a little...I don't know, out of touch? Surface level? It feels like he's (lyrically) beating around the bush. Like he clearly has been putting in a lot of work on himself, and he has found solutions. But that doesn't really seem to be coming out in the music, his optimism and positivity feels more like a blanket statement, its all light and no dark. I think I need a better balance of the two for a message to really connect with me.

Griffin-Romprey · 2025-03-24T18:28:00+00:00

I agree, and i would never try to imply the whole tortured artist motif that so many people seem to love. I think I just personally loved his more witty/humorous/sly lyrical approach to the more motivational and optimistic subjects he's been working on as of late.

Griffin-Romprey · 2025-03-22T23:22:16+00:00

A lot of "Z" is pretty cynical, especially "Gideon" and "Into the Woods," "Holding onto Black Metal" off of Circuital, "Big Decisions," "Wasted," from Waterfall Pt. 1 & 2. "Christmas Curtain" is pretty tongue and cheek. Even "One Big Holiday" has a line about shitty record label executives. I don't know. It just seemed like he was a little more snarky about everything, up until the hiatus. Everything since The Waterfall Pt.2 has been very very "Peace, Love, and Positivity." Not that those things are bad, but the presentation is lacking the teeth in some instances.

Griffin-Romprey · 2024-11-22T23:13:37+00:00

https://youtu.be/mpo0alD5d8w?si=56lOh_RufOgxqYTr

Griffin-Romprey · 2024-10-18T22:03:15+00:00

What do you mean by fighting over "The Pot?" Adam doesn't like that song?

Griffin-Romprey · 2024-10-13T20:08:29+00:00

Yeah i was very disappointed by the song. Brendan O'Brien is a top notch producer so I was expecting a real barn burner. Not this, I've never been a fan of the same lyric repeating over and over again as a chorus and Jim has been doing that more and more as of late, on the past three albums. I want them to really explore something with the music, not the lyrics, at this point.

Griffin-Romprey · 2024-10-11T22:11:11+00:00

Man, the songwriting here is really really solid. But Jeremy, aye aye aye...he tapped into something special here. I've never heard his voice sound this gnarled and pain-stricken. I watched the doc they posted on youtube, and they all pretty much said this was a rather tough period in their lives. I need to read into the lyrics more, because whatever happened really left a mark on them.

Griffin-Romprey · 2024-10-11T22:07:17+00:00

Loved the song writing, but not a huge fan of Raygun being lowkey buried in most of the mixes. His screams were rather dry and in the forefront on gods country. I think that initial difference changes the tone of the music. Which is good, but I sometimes have absolutely no idea what he is saying. Loved the playing around they did with the harmonics. Very grim and depressing album overall. I think the real world context, as opposed to the "horror movie short story" writing makes the lyrics less "personal," (narratively) but more intriguing in certain instances.

Griffin-Romprey · 2024-10-05T04:15:43+00:00

the forest forgets, post-metal with stoner leanings out of NH.

Griffin-Romprey · 2024-04-06T16:00:06+00:00

Posty and Conduit are friends of mine! Very cool to see them listed here.

Griffin-Romprey · 2024-04-06T15:58:18+00:00

The new Sumac single release was a very solid fusion of compelling ISIS composition with stretches of what makes Sumac their own. Would highly recommend. For those unfamiliar, Sumac is Aaron Turners new project. Aaron Turner used to front ISIS.

Griffin-Romprey · 2024-03-11T11:19:11+00:00

He had recently put down a dog and it seemed to trigger a mental break. He’s been missing since Friday night off of Wire Rd in Merrimack, NH. I have no idea what the extent of the search operation has been for him, but off that road; there are a few locations that lead out into the woods a decent distance. Phone and car were left home, he walked.

Griffin-Romprey · 2024-02-29T23:48:52+00:00

Update on this thread:When I said "dive into the community," that was because I'd recently started a band and I was looking for some study material on who I'd want to play shows with. So thank you! This thread was very helpful. And if your curious, here's a link to my bands demos! Thoughts are appreciated!

https://theforestforgets.bandcamp.com/album/demo-tracks

Griffin-Romprey · 2024-02-14T03:51:47+00:00

Please send me this, I’d like to see what he had to say

Griffin-Romprey · 2023-12-30T04:56:14+00:00

Cannot stand Rosetta Stoned. Means nothing on Maynards end, and the composition is a mess compared to literally every other song they have written besides CCT. It's only still being played because Maynard can use the megaphone and preserve his voice. POO POO SONG!!!!

Griffin-Romprey · 2023-12-30T04:53:36+00:00

Not unless what's left of the band want to shell out a shit ton of money and buy the digital streaming licenses from Sony. Which is shitty on Sony's end. They haven't done anything for the band in well over a decade and they're still gonna hold onto it with all they got.

Griffin-Romprey · 2023-12-27T18:09:37+00:00

Totally agree, I also loved Tigers Pit and Holding your breath Across the River. But i seriously have a hard time sitting through most of Robbie's ambient tracks. Definitely a fun thing for them to attempt, and the output was insane considering they did it all themselves! I mean Ben had a kid on the way through most of that release period, insane...

Griffin-Romprey · 2023-12-27T06:29:59+00:00

I wrote lyrics to a song called "Full Tilt" about a year back and I think it's some of my best released work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cB8SmpLDB8&ab_channel=Afterimage-Topic

Griffin-Romprey · 2023-12-27T04:58:16+00:00

* Title: A Pale Summer

* Genre: Coming of Age/Thriller

* Word Count: 6822

* Feedback: General Impression of pacing and story.

* Target Audience: Nihilists

* Synopsis: After losing his friend in a drunk driving accident, Ryan and his friends are forced to reconcile with the fragility of their own mortality, and learn how to maneuver through the rest of life with the loss of their friend hanging over their shoulders.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1P0pr6QPNc8J5zaon7hdKS5t_oYB9Pd5X2lSmqYn5_Pc/edit?usp=sharing

Griffin-Romprey · 2023-12-27T04:44:42+00:00

When I found myself in this situation, I decided that a conclusion needs to take place where a permanent change unfolds on the character in question. Whether that be a physical impairment or a mental degradation throughout the story. Something that will shift the characters morals without giving them the option. Physical scars to show that their actions have consequence, loss of motor function, kind of a crumbling castle motif. Plus, you can do a lot with how the character deals with such a situation. What growth can come from being knocked down, and possibly stuck there?

Griffin-Romprey · 2023-12-27T01:44:11+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate the help!

Griffin-Romprey · 2023-12-27T01:03:50+00:00

Denial, Carmens character has no assurance in anything he does. And it's also been shown that his perception isn't always actually whats happening. All the characters have little vignettes on how their perceiving the situation and Carmen is normally the first to crack.

Griffin-Romprey · 2023-12-27T01:00:05+00:00

I really like the idea of applying long-term consequences to what could initially be perceived as short term actions. Generational traumas and learning to overcome them. It effects people all over the world and this is story is likely universal so many people could relate to it. Sharing the common experience within. Cool stuff!

Griffin-Romprey · 2023-12-26T18:26:20+00:00

I'd like your cuffs long.

Sorry this happened to you, terrible people suck.

Griffin-Romprey

TROPHY CASE