I was talking to my photographer friend. I told him that I wanted him to lend more of his photography to the second leg - I consider him one of the great undiscovered photographers in the area. And as I was describing my still-forming ideas, I said, “You know, dark reds and purples.” He asked, “Oh, is that the title?” And I said, “Well, maybe it is.”

Well folks, I like it too much to reject it. I just hope we don’t have to take a bunch of red and purple pictures now. Whatever we come up with will be fantastic though. I will be previewing the songs for him, so that he can visualize with me. He will be responsible for more than just the cover shot this time - I told him that you all very much loved that picture. This time he will help me design the entire package.

I love it when artists combine their powers to make an entire package that works together as a single piece of creation. I’m conditioning myself to share with you. I’m thinking that the third leg will have a hand-drawn cover. It’s too early to say why. But it’s not too early to say that I might like to work more closely with you.

Three Songs Into the Second Leg

I was worried that my mix volumes weren’t matching. Worried because I had been distant enough to lose touch with the themes and feelings that are barely in process. I think I have a handle on it now.

It’s hard to stay as intense and angry as the project demands. It’s an experimentation in emotional elements commonly associated with hard rock of all types. It’s also a spiritually themed record dealing with the common ugliness caused by common ugliness.

Most of us grew up in churches. We rebelled against our teachings. We rebelled against our teachers. We distanced ourselves from all the things associated with the pain of our childhoods. Thus, religion has become unpopular; particularly Christianity. And our fight for freedom has become equally as violent as religion ever was. We think of ourselves as a hero generation who lives and lets live. In reality, we ignore and are okay with being ignored. We make excuses for the things we do and excuse others for using us. It’s time to take another look at that Book, because any supreme God, even imaginary, will help us hold onto our self-respect and hold us accountable for our self-worshiping ways.