Oh man, so I read that Mastodon is working on a new album (or at least will start recording in February...) and that a confirmed track title is 'The Ghost of Karilla.' Also, the album might be heavier than Blood Mountain, and was partially influenced by Tool. I just joygasmed on my keyboard. This is so awesome. I also read, though, that the album might break away from their whole 'elemental' schtick they had going from Remission to Blood Mountain. I hope not.

I never knew that "With Teeth" by Nine Inch Nails was a concept album, until recently when I read about Reznor saying how it was about "starting out in a nightmare and ending in a new reality," or something like that. That makes the album so much cooler. Oh well. Speaking of With Teeth, I actually liked that album. I know, I know...a lot of people consider it one of NIN's weaker albums, but whatever. Maybe what's so attractive about it is the fact that it's so much different than anything before it, as far as NIN albums go. I dunno. Carry on!

Actually, I have like a dozen. But they're all pretty badass.

As said by Nawaz Sharif: "It is not a sad day, it is a dark, darkest, gloomiest day in the history of this country. Something unthinkable has happened. Something inconceivable, unthinkable has happened."

I think "The Great Below" by Nine Inch Nails is probably the most poetic song ever written. Where else could you find a verse like such: "All the world has closed her eyes, Tired faith all worn and thin, For all we could have done, And all that could have been." It's really eerie and atmospheric, and contains all sorts of romanticized, symbolic references to death and acceptance. Amazing song, really. Probably the best off of "The Fragile" which is a mind-blowing album. I love NIN so much.

My friend and I were thinking about going death metal carolling (is that spelled right?) on Christmas Eve. It would be awesome - taking Christmas carols and making them even better by adding some references to blood and Satan, and then doing it all in this really kickass guttural roar. (I can do the death metal growl pretty good.) Anyways, I doubt it's gonna happen. But oh well! Winter break is here, and I'm not really that stoked for it. All my friends are gonna be busy or out of town, so I have nothing to really do around here. As Kurt Vonnegut would say: so it goes.

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So, as I mentioned before, I'm thinking about buying the CD "Leviathan" by Mastodon. (Or maybe I'll just wait and have someone buy it for me for Christmas.) The CD's pretty amazing from what I've heard. I could do a track-by-track breakdown of it but that would take up a lot of room. Anyways, the whole thing is that it's a concept album (though I use that very loosely) based on Moby Dick. I mean, there are constant references to white whales, one of the tracks is called "I Am Ahab" and they even mention Queequeg once or twice, I think. IN OTHER CD NEWS: My brother bought me The Cure's "Disintegration" for my birthday. South Park was right. It *is* the best album ever.

So I was reading the newspaper today, and they had printed a lot of letters that little kids had written to "Santa Claus." Naturally, I was looking them over and laughing at the horrible spelling and grammar mistakes until I came upon one that made me actually go "Aw..." A 9-year-old girl had written that she didn't really want any presents at all, but that she'd love it if her dad would stop being wheelchair-bound and her grandma's heart surgery would go well. It was much more poignant and touching than that, but you get the idea. After reading it, I realized just how shallow and materialistic all the other letters seemed. I also realized that kids can be way wiser than I give them credit for. Anyways, that girl is awesome. I hope everything turns out as good as it can for her and her family.

And here I am, wasting my Saturday. I could be organizing my laundry. Or doing homework. Or working out. But instead I'm writing another journal entry at SongMeanings and listening to "Battle Hymn" by Senses Fail. I wanna get Mastodon's "Leviathan" CD for Christmas. I feel bad and materialistic for wanting Christmas presents, especially cause the holiday sucks anyways. And I want you all to know that this is where my antitheistic rant against Christianity would go if I wasn't so tired.