Here's a breakdown of the songs for the "Thorns And Lies" Collection by song. I wanted to give you all a feel of every song and maybe some insights into what they might hold.

Tease The Dust.
Rhythm guitars: Lucian
First Solo Half: Lucian
Second Solo Half: Jason

This song is probably the fastest on the disk. I wanted to capture a bit of insanity, a little melody, and some cool time changes. The lyrics reflect upon the woes of addiction and how it affects those around you. It's a pretty intense piece.

Thorns And Lies
Rhythm guitars: Jason/Lucian
Solo: Jason

This song has the biggest pounding hooks. Written from a minor harmonic to give it an Egyptian feel in places, it really makes your head bang. It's the title track for this group of songs. To me Thorns and Lies represents the old world betrayal of people by kings, but brought into the idea of today's political charades. Jason knocked himself out of the park with this solo. Simply put: bad assed.

Curse of the Succubus
All guitars: Jason

Curse of the succubus was composed by me, but the lyrics were penned by Jason. He took care of all of the guitars on this song. There is an awesome section in the middle that is reserved only for those with the blackest of souls. The lyrics Jason has for this song pretty much describes the evilest most devilish woman you could ever meet. I know that's pleasing to some of you. Heh! This one has pipe organs out the ass!

Fornicate of Disaster
Rhythm Guitars: Jason
First Solo: Jason
Second Solo: Lucian

Jason's awesome riff making ideas bought this one to life as he pretty much laid the entire foundation for it. The Lyrics reflect how a woman is viewed by some as just a sexual object and not a person. Most of the time used, abused, tortured and finally killed. Yeah ok... I write some weird lyrics. This one is fast and powerful. So check it out and get down with your bad self Beavis! Our favorite line is "And they will use her toes as a strap on."

Walk Away
Rhythm Guitars: Jason
Clean Guitars: Lucian

Walk away is a song I wrote over 2 years ago. I was going to redo the vocals, but decided against it as it is just too humorous that I was a half keg of Heineken into the song when I got through with the music and actually sang. I wanted to bring a part of my past into this collection of music and Jason thought this song was a great way to do it. The whole song is about those people you think you know and don't, Sometimes it's just better to turn your back, and walk away. It sticks out quite a bit in this collection because it's a bit more melodic and laid back. Our favorite part is: "Tweet Tweet"

Broken Promises And Shallow Dreams
All Guitars: Jason

Jason and I actually wrote this one together from start to finish, in the same room. Which is a first. Jason's solo is awesome and abstract. The song has a more black metal groove and the lyrics are about how some people get in the way of your dreams and you might just want to cut off their heads with a dull kitchen knife. Not the best weapon of choice but it is nearby most of the time. This one is brutal.

Wintersbane
Rhythm Guitars: Jason/Lucian
Solo: Lucian

Wintersbane is my ode to winter. I tried to capture the essence of a cold night and a good dark lager in this one. I incorporated the symphonic instruments to give it a more old world flavor. Choirs, ambience and wolves all make their presence known. I did most of the rhythms because a lot of it is just plain weird and Jason didn't have time to learn the most of it. He does cover certain spots however; you'll never be able to tell. He's good! This one was the most fun to put together for me. Favorite part: The bridge

Enter The Evil
All Guitars: Jason

This song by far is probably the most liked by those who have heard it already. Its got a cool groove and some wicked harmonies. Followed by one of the most unique vocal compositions I have come up with. The lyrics are about those who work so hard to destroy everything I do just because its *gasp* "Evil" This one is in a different ball park from the other stuff. As someone once told me "Can you get any weirder?"

Heartbeat Of A Blackened Soul
All Guitars: Jason

This song is about that of someone who can seduce and deceive even their closest allies. Without the slightest care for anyone else they meticulously destroy every life they come into contact with. This was one of the songs composed almost entirely with the keys. Jason does some cool pick sweeps all the way through it. It's one big splooge away from having its own sperm bank.

Conquer The Fire
Rhythm Guitars: Lucian/Jason
Solos: Jason

This song is a monster. At over ten minutes long it has to be the biggest pain in the ass I have ever put together. It is my favorite song on the whole thing. It is limitless and free. The whole song is based on a concept story. A vampire King and Queen who come to the reign of a human civilization. You'll have to listen to the song to find out how it goes. It's got cool melodies and a great feel. Favorite part: The Chorus.


With that said I hope everyone gets something unique from these songs. I really would like to thank Jason for taking the time to handle almost all of the guitars. I'd also like to thank some of the people here on myspace that I have gotten to know since I started. Believe it or not, different parts of songs have been inspired by these people. When you guys listen to our music it gives me a warm feeling deep in my loins, Oh wait. Never mind. That's just my battery powered heated sock. So until we meet again!..