I saw them in 2005. The show was kind of awful, mostly due to the audience. Lots of "ATL hardcore" posturing and violence spread all around. I remember being stunned that the band didn't address it. Big fat dorks in skinny jeans and Straight Edge Letterman Jackets crushing high schoolers. The first few tracks off Jane Doe really knocked my socks off, though. At the time.

Kinda feels like their whole aesthetic is/was "a girl was very mean to me and that is not okay."

I remember a line that's like, "You failed me with your inferno fuck me eyes"? That's some Taylor Swift kinda stuff there.

I'd still NC 'em confidently (despite not being a fan), but You Fail Me is the tipping point where they start making 'proper music, yeah? I don't even listen to metal these days, yeah?" albums and I get little to no enjoyment out of them. The early, pre-Jane Doe stuff is kinda underrated though, they were a strong, original voice in the late 90s when the Victory Records sound was dominant.

I still prefer Deadguy, though.

Heath wrote: Tue Nov 18, 2025 4:32 amKinda feels like their whole aesthetic is/was "a girl was very mean to me and that is not okay."

The lowest form of lyrics

Heath wrote: Tue Nov 18, 2025 4:32 amI remember a line that's like, "You failed me with your inferno fuck me eyes"? That's some Taylor Swift kinda stuff there.

This may be the worst lyric I have ever read. Worse than "Pianoman" worse than "Hallelujah", worse than Limp Bizkit's "Break Stuff". JHC.

I agree that Jacob Bannon was on a similar lyrical plane to Crazytown.

I am really glad I could bring attention to the atrocious lyrics. Those, combined with the "imposing unknowable woman w/ splatter paint" cover art always seemed like a gross package.

I remember bands of that era really talking up their lyrics and their concepts. Isis did that a lot. "This one is based on Don Quixote." Okay guys, you've incorporated the worst of Alice in Chains into your sound, but at least you read a good book? Who gives a shit.

Heath wrote: Tue Nov 18, 2025 7:44 pm
I remember bands of that era really talking up their lyrics and their concepts. Isis did that a lot. "This one is based on Don Quixote." Okay guys, you've incorporated the worst of Alice in Chains into your sound, but at least you read a good book? Who gives a shit.

Isis was the worst at this. Literary inspired songs are awesome but must bring something to the table. Isis was all like "this is a concept album called Panopticon" "Graaaaahhhhhrrrrr". Also didn't print lyrics because they weren't proud of them and see the vocals as just another instrument, but the work was a commentary on Foucault. Not pretentious at all guys.

losthighway wrote: Tue Nov 18, 2025 8:40 pm

Heath wrote: Tue Nov 18, 2025 7:44 pm
I remember bands of that era really talking up their lyrics and their concepts. Isis did that a lot. "This one is based on Don Quixote." Okay guys, you've incorporated the worst of Alice in Chains into your sound, but at least you read a good book? Who gives a shit.

Isis was the worst at this. Literary inspired songs are awesome but must bring something to the table. Isis was all like "this is a concept album called Panopticon" "Graaaaahhhhhrrrrr". Also didn't print lyrics because they weren't proud of them and see the vocals as just another instrument, but the work was a commentary on Foucault. Not pretentious at all guys.

Holy shit yes, "vocals as just another instrument."

Learn to play the fucking instrument then, shit.

M.H wrote: Tue Nov 18, 2025 10:19 am I'd still NC 'em confidently (despite not being a fan), but You Fail Me is the tipping point where they start making 'proper music, yeah? I don't even listen to metal these days, yeah?" albums and I get little to no enjoyment out of them. The early, pre-Jane Doe stuff is kinda underrated though, they were a strong, original voice in the late 90s when the Victory Records sound was dominant.

I still prefer Deadguy, though.

Victory Records is a blast from the past. I loved Snapcase briefly.

Converge "Love Is Not Enough"

STREET DATE: 2/13/26
CAT#: DW266
LABEL: Deathwish Inc.