We are really sorry to tell you that we are not going to be able to go out on the All Shall Perish/FASSW/Emmure tour. We were all looking forward to this tour more than anyone but due to a family emergency we are no longer able to go. We tried as hard as we could to find a fill in but on the few days notice we had, it just wasn't possible. We really apologize to anyone who had planned to come see us, the bands on the tour, and everyone who helped put this tour together. Please go and support all the bands on the tour when they come to a town near you, they are all amazing bands, definitely not a tour to miss! Hopefully we can be back on the road very soon and make it up to all of you. Sorry again and thanks for your support!

WRATHBEARER (This is a song about the journey from unbelief to belief. For many people who now believe in God, there was a time when they hated Him very passionately. This song is about the triumph of God's grace on an undeserving sinner.)

That crucifixion meant nothing to me. Just another fairy tale passed down through the centuries.
I've heard the myth of how he came to save this world, but what good is a savior, when the cemeteries are already full.
I look around and all I see. Pain and hate and sickness, misery.
We are alone. Abandon hope.
How can you possibly believe in a God you can't even see?
It makes me sick to hear you speak, you're mind a grave of false beliefs.
Please just help me understand. Why you place trust in this dead man?
Pray with all your faith, that your king will bring relief.
He is dead and gone, empty is your savior's throne.
Cry out, for a God to hear your prayers. Don't be surprised when the silence deafens your anxious ears.
As I face these evil days I rely upon myself. I find no relief above I do not need his help.
But I'm sinking deeper into a life completely void. Now I see what I truly am, nothing but a coward, am I damned?
I'm not alone. Embraced by hope.
I wanted nothing more than to destroy your bloody cross.
But redemption found a son of hell in a world completely lost.
Now I've come to understand. I had betrayed salvation's hand.
Love and fear divine. I have come to realize.
Fools that laugh and mock beware, most will surely weep in hell.
I was the traitor with His blood on my hands, and I should be…..
The one to burn.
It was me the one who's back was turned. Once an enemy of the wrathbearer.


ENDLESS FAITH

My God, My God. Heavenly Father! I feel forsaken.
Disgrace and shame consume me, eternal night now reigns.
Daylight engulfed by shadows, I pray to end this agony.
(chorus)
Gone, everything I loved, just a memory. Stripped of every ounce of self-respect, fall to my knees. Cover me in ash, curse the day that I was born. Release me from this living death, welcome oblivion.
My friends they offer only cruel indifference.
You did this to yourself, now you must pay the consequence.
I can't believe how fast companions turn their back-another cruel reminder that nothing ever lasts…it's gone…(chorus)
You give and take away, blessed be your name.
I cannot comprehend, all the workings of your hand.
But still I will wait, hold fast to endless faith.
Overwhelmed and torn apart but never abandoned when it seems that all is gone….(chorus)
Hold Fast!! With Confidence!! Overcome your doubt with endless…..Faith!!! Conquer. Prevail.


PURPOSE IN PAIN

Sometimes hope dwells in the darkness, waiting to be found.
With bitter tears we fight through days that do not seem to end.
But finding purpose in the pain, will shatter doubt and help you persevere.
To conquer fear. You must admit that weakness is your strength.
Realize that by yourself, you're not as strong as you think.
A helping hand is never far, but pride will kill you fast, then watch you fall.
(chorus)
Reaching beyond all the wreckage we see
Together we'll find what we truly believe.
Crawl through the ashes of our past mistakes
Emerge, so much stronger, refined by the flames.
Burn away the selfishness that hinders our progress.
Don't suffocate compassion, that won't bring you happiness.
Know there is another way, to live and die, with darkness left behind.
We must deny. Deny ourselves these lusts kill from inside.
Don't attempt to bear this weight-alone you'll find a grim and lonely fate.
(chorus)
Our faith is tested everyday-the serpent wants us to betray,
And turn our backs on everything-that gave our lives a true meaning.
And though his voice is loud and clear-he'll never take what we hold dear,
The truth will always light the way-the depths of hell will hear us say.
These walls they cannot hold, my convictions will guide me through.
I'd know I died living, then die and regret it all.
(chorus)


DEFINED BY STRUGGLE

Battered. Broken. But not afraid.
I've seen prosperity, I've tasted defeat.
Blow by blow I've watched this world
CRUSH MY DREAMS!
Merciless and cruel, never satisfied.
I've seen the days ahead, they promise my demise.
Battered. Broken. But not afraid.
But I watch promises of perfection, fading faster everyday.
Tragedy and loss make up this cold reality.
Our lives are defined by struggle,
Discover truth in every trial.
Moving forward through the pain,
Battered and broken but not afraid.
STRENGTH TO ENDURE.
Strength to endure, this life will be restored.
Eternal battle but there is calm within this storm.
Storm. Raging on.
Battered. Broken. But not afraid.
Our lives are defined by struggle,
Discover truth in every trial,
Moving forward through the pain,
Battered and broken but not afraid.
Battered and broken, but this life will be restored.
RESTORED!!!


VALJEAN (Jean Valjean is a character from Victor Hugo's book 'Les Miserables'. I have always loved the story of Valjean's transition from hatred and bitterness to love and mercy.)

Hate for hate!
I bear corruption in my name. This life brings nothing but disdain.
This world a grave filled with disease, on a condemned humanity.
Where is your God of love and peace? He has left me.
I spit in the face of compassion, mercy is for the weak.
Kindness, a fairy tale that helps you get a good night sleep.
I have seen humanity's true form.
Wicked, depraved and hellbound. We are corrupt. Full of deceit.
(So filled with)---Hate for hate, striking back with vengeance.
Revenge, my only allegiance,
In a world that mocks my existence.
God, can you hear your creation?
Surrounded by forces, bent on my destruction.
They call my name. Expose my shame.
But a voice of comfort, and a face of love.
Shattered this cold and callous soul.
I've seen forgiveness in its truest form,
It brought surrender to this internal war.
Cleansed forever, from my rebellion.


ARCHEGOS (This is a greek word that appears in the book of Acts and Hebrews. It is used as a title for Christ. The word 'Archegos' has a broad range of meanings. In this case it means 'pioneer' or 'forerunner'. Someone who goes ahead of everyone else and leads the way.)

The waters rage in the angry sea, full of fury the waves crashing down on me.
Hell is on the horizon, and closing in.
Fear and doubt replace hope as our future begins to dim.
Death calls our name from the black abyss.
The deep beckons our flesh, the great weakness.
As this voyage of conquest begins to close,
A great sadness consumes all I've ever known,
This vessel once strong bent on conquering,
Starts to crumble revealing its frailty.
Our greatest fears are realized.
Our doom approaches, time to die. All is lost. The death of hope.
NO!!!!!
Behold the Archegos, Savior of the lost.
He anchors us to shore. With strength, our weight, He bore.(x2)
Pulled out of hopelessness, a life destined to burn.
Dark clouds are cleared away, reveal the rising sun.
I hear these words.
Face your fears. Search your heart. Seek the truth. Trust in hope.
Death could never hope to drown this Love!!

(The ancient Greeks and Romans were ambitious voyagers, their economies dependent on world trade even as ours is today. Their ships plied the Mediterranean, loaded down with cargo and merchants. It was a risky business. For them as for us, the possibility of an accident was one of their greatest fears. Navigation, by our standards, was a primitive business in those days. Seldom did a ship venture out beyond sight of the shore. Most people, moreover, did not know how to swim. There were no life preservers or inflatable rafts. Their only hope in the event of a storm or a wreck was to somehow make their way to the safety of land. For that they depended upon an archegos.

Archegos was the title given to a man – usually a young, strong man who was especially gifted as a swimmer. He was stationed at the bow of every ship, where he stood watch for reefs or rocks or other objects which might endanger the vessel. About his waste he wore a length of rope, the other end of which was attached to the bow of the ship.

If the vessel began to founder, the job of the archegos was to leap into the water and to swim to the safety of the shore, trailing behind him the rope he wore. It became a life-line for all the others on board. Even those who could not swim, or who were not young and strong, could reach out and grab hold of that rope, and pull themselves to safety.

In times of trouble, the archegos went first . . . he went ahead of all the others . . . leaving behind a life-line for everyone else to follow.) -Taken from firstchurchburlington.org.

"let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the archegos . . . of our faith." (Hebrews 12: 1-2)


SERMON

FALL, ARISE, RESTORE.


CONFRONT

Before I judge you, maybe I should stop and hear your words.
Discussion is a lost cause, replaced by both sides drawing swords.
Our generation, so eager, to shed the blood of our enemies.
The voice of reason is never heard, our flesh leads us to……
(chorus)
This-our legacy, a nation of hearts. A nation of hearts so sick and tired of beating. Devoid of conscience, we fuel the fire. Nothing to believe in, when it seems that every truth comes from the mouth of a liar.
We need to stop and think this through. Hearts and minds can be renewed.
So many issues with our differing views, so many channels, headlines and news.
Sometimes the future looks bleak for us, but that's no excuse to turn away and give up.
This is just another song to encourage and remind you that we can't give in.
In a culture of death it's something that we need to hear again and again,
We must fight this…..(chorus)
We need to stop and think this through. Hearts and minds can be renewed.
Renew!
The passion of youth is a dangerous thing.
Fueled by pain, hate, love and dreams.
Waste this time and you'll never know.
What seeds of light could have been sown in…
This-our legacy. A nation of hearts. A nation of hearts so sick and tired of beating.
We must confront ourselves.
We are the enemy.
Its time to turn our back on all our greed, perversion, vanity.


INFIDELITY

Worthless and insincere—our vows—so quickly disappear.
Desolation we've brought willingly—we are the harlots, spreading infirmity.
Surrounded by mountains of affliction—stumble blindly in the darkness we create.
Worship the counterfeit—we dig our own grave with pride.

We're lead astray, our minds decay.
The heart descends, into depravity.

Condemned by unfaithfulness---betrayed—beliefs we professed.
Deceived by false desire—we sing—with illusion's deadly choir.
We moved the boundaries of morality—and silenced that still small voice inside.
Screaming with arrogance—we can't hear wisdom screaming back.

We're lead astray, our minds decay
The heart descends, into depravity.

Descend
Abomination fills the earth.

Judgment must fall—His arm will find us all.
We cry—mercy---forgive disloyalty.

Our new CD, Defined By Struggle, is in stores NOW, but in case you can't find it at your local record store (Best Buy, FYE, your local Indie, anywhere) you should tell us now!
Send us the name of the store, the city it's in, and the store (not the phone number, like the ID number, just ask an employee)
Then send us a message saying our CD is out of stock like this.
BEST BUY
STORE 1234
CHICAGO, IL
OUT OF STOCK!

The "Defined by Struggle" tour.

Aug 10, 2007 Anderson, IN, US @ FIREMANS LODGE w/ Inhale Exhale, Odd Project
Aug 11, 2007 RockFalls, IL, US @ AMP FEST w/ Inhale Exhale, Odd Project
Aug 12, 2007 Columbus, OH, US @ HIGH FIVE w/ Inhale Exhale, Odd Project
Aug 14, 2007 Louisville, KY, US @ UNCLE PLEASANTS w/ Inhale Exhale, Odd Project
Aug 15, 2007 Dayton, OH, US @ THE ATTIC w/ Inhale Exhale, Odd Project
Aug 16, 2007 Charleroi, PA, US @ CLUB OCTANE w/ Inhale Exhale, Odd Project
Aug 17, 2007 Bloomsburg, PA, US @ PHILLIPS EMPORIUM w/ Inhale Exhale, Odd Project

Aug 18, 2007 Ronkonkoma, NY @ TRAXX w/ Odd Project
Aug 19, 2007 Baltimore, MD, US @ RIVA TRACE w/ Odd Project
Aug 20, 2007 Virginia Beach, VA, US @ CLUB RELEVANT w/ Inhale Exhale, Odd Project

Aug 21, 2007 Fredericksburg, VA @ KC's w/ Inhale Exhale, Odd Project
Aug 22, 2007 Thomasville, NC, US @ THE SOUNDVENT w/ Inhale Exhale, Odd Project
Aug 23, 2007 Charleston, SC, US @ THE STUDIO w/ Inhale Exhale, Odd Project
Aug 24, 2007 Jacksonville, FL, US @ FUEL COFFEEHOUSE w/ Inhale Exhale, Odd Project

Aug 26, 2007 Tallahassee, FL, US @ BETA BAR w/ Inhale Exhale, Odd Project
Aug 28, 2007 Douglassville, GA, US @ THE 7 AVENUE w/ Inhale Exhale, Odd Project
Aug 30, 2007 Montgomery, AL, US @ THE RAVE w/ Inhale Exhale, Odd Project

We spent the last weekend in June shooting a video for a song on the new album entitled "Purpose in Pain". Very few people have heard this song so must of you will hear it for the first time when you see the video in a week or so. Us Nodes dudes flew out to Atlanta GA to work with Director Chad Rullman of Supercollider Films who has worked with the likes of; Mastodon, Soilent Green, The Agony Scene, Neurosis and Nile just to name a few. The whole process was amazing and everyone on the crew made things as much fun as possible. The boys in A-Town had spent upwards of 30 hours building a set for us to rock and when we walked into the studio to see it for the first time we couldn't believe our eyes. These guys did an awesome amount of work just for us and as soon as the shoot ended the whole set and all their hard work went into a dumpster out in a parking lot.
Kyle tried his own hand at dirrecting. We think he should stick to the band thing.

Check out these pictures of the video shoot and keep your eyes peeled for the finished product comming very soon!

All you have to do is go to http://www.victoryrecords.com/nodesofranvier and download the file at the bottom of that page. Once you've done that copy and paste the html code provided into your "about me" section and BAM, you'll have more metal in your life than a weight room. For real. -NOR-

Josh Ferrie (second to right) has taken over on drums and if you caught a show on the recent tour we did with MEANS you got a taste of his abilities and what the new album will sound like. You may have seen Josh in the past perform with the likes of SUFFER, Fall, and The Blinding Light. We are confident that you will enjoy the direction that Josh's' percussive style has brought to the band without loosing the sound this band has become akin to.

Our vocal change brought in Omaha NE native Kyle Benecke (center). You may have met Kyle when he filled in with Saved by Grace or his long term vocal showcase with System Failure. Kyle has brought a vocal range that this band has never seen in a front man and that was what solidified our decision to go with him. Kyle holds a level of forceful screams meshed with discernable annunciation that makes the importance of what he has written on this album stand out.

We are very excited to announce that we will be entering the studio once again to do pre-production for our 4th album and Victory Records debut. We will be working with our old friend Mike Dresch at Cathouse Studios. He has produced everything we've ever done and we are happy to still be working with him. Since our last record "The Years to Come" Mike found himself some new space for the spread that he has. Check out the photos.

Victory Signs Nodes of Ranvier
Feb 13, 2007
Victory Records announces the signing of Sioux Falls, South Dakota's Nodes of Ranvier. Guitarist Jon Parker gets right to the point by saying, "This band has been through many ups and downs in its seven year existence. What started in a cramped room in my parents' basement has grown to international exposure. For a bunch of kids from South Dakota it has been quite a ride and we have achieved more than we ever originally imagined."

Nodes of Ranvier's last album for Facedown Records has sold over 15,000 copies since its late 2005 release. The band will be heading into the studio later this month to record their Victory Records debut to be released this July.

"We could not be any more excited about the opportunity to continue to do what we love with a label that understands what it means to have humble beginnings and achieve big dreams. This band will maintain its neck jerking pace and the material for our upcoming release will reflect our fluent ability to make music that drives this band forward. Nodes' main objective will continue to be to exude the energy on tour, in our live performances and in our records that we have for the love of what we do," stated Parker.

We could describe the bands music for you but we will leave that up to the press.

"They have a slight progressive direction and they also integrate influences from Death and Thrash Metal. This results in a unique and classy sound…which creates some parallels to the Metalcore stars ATREYU." - metalobserver.com

"you can hear something more progressive and all of a sudden the band has enormous likeness with Opeth: the same innovative approach and guts to handle things a different way… If you like ponderous and varying metal and do not mind some hardcore influences, you will find this very appealing…" – lordsofmetal.nl

Victory owner Tony Brummel said, "I am proud and excited that Nodes of Ranvier have decided to join us. Everyone at Victory loves hard music. We have been adding a lot of harder, metallic bands to our diverse roster and Nodes fits in nicely. They have always impressed me with their decency, work ethic and authentic musical passion. I have a lot of faith in them. Also, look for more info soon on a new site that we are developing called victorymetal.com. This site will be another outlet for promoting the harder side of the Victory roster."

Nodes of Ranvier are: Jon Parker, Jake Stefek, Brady Murphy and Josh Ferrie.

It was only a matter of time before the best marketing idea of this or any century was put into practice. What seemed like only a dream many years ago is now finally comming to fruition. The idea was to have teachers and professors spread the word about the band by wearing adverstisements in the form of t-shirts and other such items. Think about it. No one advertises in the classroom and nowhere in the world does there exist a place where more eyes wander from prospective buyers. 2007 shall be the year of the NODE!



Ann Settles
Anatomy Professor
Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota