Black Lines To Battlefields [Single]

Acceptance | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2003)
• Original Release Date: 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Single
• Label: Militia Records
• ASIN: B00008V5YT
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,448 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

Kaylan Cloyd - guitar Nick Radovanovich - drums Christian McAlhaney - guitar Jason Vena - vocals Ryan Zwiefelhofer - bass

Forging their roots in the underground Seattle rock scene, ACCEPTANCE has made waves not only by delivering a truly loaded live show but through an intrinsic spark and creative sincerity that radiates from the music itself.

"A lot of bands challenge their audience and that9s always a good thing but what9s more important for us is to use our music to challenge ourselves and put our true character to the test -- to say what we think and be who we really are," vocalist Jason Vena says. "We do hope this inspires our friends and fans of the band to do the same." Growing up playing in local punk and hardcore bands has created a strong sense of honesty and self respect that serves as a foundation on which the ACCEPTANCE sound is built.

"The ideas for what we wanted to do musically were all there in our previous experiences," guitarist Kaylan Cloyd recalls. "When we came together as ACCEPTANCE we quickly began to refine those sounds which lead us to where we are today." Another big point of progress for the band is that no one is relegated to just their own instrument in the writing process.

"Everyone plays multiple instruments," guitarist Christian McAlhaney explains. "Nick was on guitar before switching to drums and Jason, who sings, also played bass before we got Ryan in the band. Its never felt as complete as it does now." After performing locally and releasing their debut CD through Seattle-based Rocketstar Records, ACCEPTANCE launched regional and national tours with bands like The Juliana Theory, Noise Ratchet and Further Seems Forever. The act also performed at the popular Cornerstone Festival in Illinois. The Militia Group - originally a booking agency -- approached the band and began a professional and personal relationship that continues to grow stronger every day.

"We are so happy to have seen ACCEPTANCE grow from this really cool hardworking bunch of kids into the professional rock machine that they have quickly become," comments Chad Pearson of The Militia Group (who eventually scrapped the booking business to focus on building the record label.) "They have been such a solid part of the Militia family that it feels totally natural for us to be releasing the EP. We believe big things are coming for these guys -- they are all such good people."

When asked to sum up the bands approach, Vena explains: "Although music means the world to each member of the band, its important to us that people come away from our shows or from listening to our CD with something more than just a good song or a catchy lyric. We like knowing that we9ve made people think and feel something about themselves."

Product Description

2003 EP for the Seattle base punk revivalists includes five previously unreleased songs, 'Permanent', 'Seeing Is Believing', 'Bleeding Heart', 'Black Lines To Battlefields', 'Hold On', two live tracks, 'This Is Only A Test', 'Rerun', the video for 'Perman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars More quality emo-rock from the Northwest, November 17, 2005

By 

Bando - See all my reviews

This review is from: Black Lines To Battlefields (Audio CD)

I first heard about Acceptance after seeing them live with Finch. I though they were pretty good. Sort of Emo-ish and maybe too catchy for their own good. They had an odd presence on stage. The singer acted almost bipolar as he sang about loss and death, while all the time smiling and jumping around like he just won a million dollars. It was so simple yet very surreal. I thought: "I've got to check these guys out, they rock"

At that time the critically aclaimed LP "Phantoms" hadn't even come out yet. These guys were really nothing more than a cult pop-rock-emo band with some mild attitude. Oh, and yes they are from Seattle. (I've been reviewing a lot of bands from that scene lately) They recorded a demo in 2000 which led to constant touring in the area. It took them 3 years to do it, but eventually they created a niche in the northwest emo-rock scene and put out this EP, which includes 5 new songs and 2 live tracks. A must for any fan. The song content is smooth and sincere, with occasional melody that loves to get you hooked.

What really impresses me though, is the variation. Every song has a personality all it's own. Acceptance deserves much credit for being able to meld all their emotion and creativity to make every song a different experience.

The lyrics are most definately emo, but not in a whiney way. The vocals are much more serious and calming than other similiar acts. The singer has a depth to his voice that really makes him a treat to listen to. His annunciation especially is astounding.

All the songs here are very good, but the obvious standout track is "seeing is believing" It's about as good as a song can get. Extremely catchy, and masterful verse lyrics with a simple but sweet chorus. It's very hard not to fall in love with this song. That's all that needs to be said.

The production's quite nice for the most part. It's sort of "wah-wah" sounding in the background for some of the songs. I guess it's supposed to make it sound live. I don't know what they were thinking when they did it, but it couldn't have been practical thinking. Still, it's an EP and I shouldn't be judging it off of sound quality.

Acceptance are big friends with "the militia group", which I admire greatly. TMG has always showcased great bands and to know that Acceptance is involved with them really makes me happy.

If you can, see this band live. I enjoyed my show a whole lot, and I didn't even know who they were. It's going to be great seeing them again knowing what to expect.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Acceptance ownz, September 10, 2003

By 

Nemo Daison "eRic. august" (Tupelo, MS) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Black Lines To Battlefields (Audio CD)

Great cd. This isn't quite as loud/hard as what I normally listen to, but these guys have talent. I heard "Permanent" on mtv2 and really liked it so I picked the cd up. Short, but every track is good. Any fan of emo or alternative should love this.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Band, November 6, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Black Lines To Battlefields (Audio CD)

It is very obvious a great deal of the people reviewing this CD have no musical background at all. Acceptance may not write the most difficult or technical music, but they are a good band who play a FLAWLESS live show. I have seen them twice, and both times I was very, very impressed. This CD is great, and I think the singer is very talented. He may not be the best, but he is MUCH better than almost every band coming out right now. If you don't know what I mean, do yourself a favor by buying the CD and then seeing them live.