The Stargazer.

"High noon oh I'd sell my soul for water Nine years worth of breaking my back There's no sun in the shadow of the wizard See how he glides why he's lighter than air"

-RJD

Such poetry. Such a poet.

Hardly is there a song that better defines a time in terms of heavy metal, than "Stargazer" by Rainbow. I remember perfectly well where I was when I first heard it. I can still smell the room actually. A room in a small New England town just outside of Boston. Aside from the Hadder project, I spent the better part of 2 or 3 years in LA working on a full record with a band called "TOR" only to see the release held up due to personal conflicts unrelated to the music. But, we did record a cover of Rainbows "Stargazer" with the intention of releasing it as a B Side. Behold, for the powers that be seem to have aligned enough for us to shoot a video for it and release it. Under what banner? I'm not sure it matters just yet. We all know where it came from. I can only guess that some of this "TOR" record will find it's way out into the world in due time in some shape and some form. It's a great body of work. For now, it was a great video shoot. The Stargazer is almost ready. So much work from so many people to create this personal rendition of a classic song. It was done for great unselfish reasons and with simple intentions, to honor the past and to show appreciation for such a time and such a piece of music. A piece of music that helped shape a sound and certainly shaped me as a singer at a very young age. I'm so grateful for the members of "TOR" and for the time we spent together fighting the odds and gathering in dark places each week for so long and for such true reasons... and to see this song being so close to a release, well, lets just say the Warmoths are singing loudly and feverishly.

I'll be editing the video the next few weeks while Hadder auditions are taking place. Aside from tying up some loose ends on the first Hadder tracks, I really hope to have another Diamonds Hadder record recorded by the end of the year with some shorter songs. You see.. after 8 hours of 9 minute video takes on "Stargazer", I'm realizing that a good 5 or 6 minute song can be a damn good thing.

For now here is a little laser clip from one of the vocal takes. Should be an interesting video. Thank you for your lights and magic Lord Robert, you are the armored saint and spell caster... I am ever grateful.

- evermore

#diamondshadder #inspiration #evermore #lametal #tenor #Evermore #singer #losangeles #heavymetalsinger #stargazer #video #mrhadder #tor

Diamonds are for evermore.

"Days we drifted over land and broken hills afoot,

A small troop led by a child who held a power misunderstood,

of destiny and will, they travel under the holy arch,

“they can not kill what they can not see” we repeated as we marched."

I read a lot.

A few things on this 7th moon cycle:

I've been visiting with the child of the sun again. Such a nice tale that I'm sure now will come to see the light of day, no pun intended, later in the months ahead I suppose. On the topic of light and dark and good will and faith... I'm stepping into uncharted lands to some degree anyway these fateful days. I mean, I can see there was a road here but the growth of brush is so dense and distorted that every move forward is met vigorously with thorns and wires that want nothing more than to snare me like a rabbits foot in that metal trap. My rabbit is with me, in the dark, just out of sight... ha.. grunting like a scary prop in my own 'tourist trap". Remember that scene in that movie when the plastic cast finally closes over the mouth, do you?, of course not... but I do. That's how I feel, just one last breath here as I cross over into the lands beyond the hill top. OHHH.. Evermore, ahhh... where have you been my friend.

On a serious note, I was talking to a random traveler at a bar last night on the outskirts of BOK, a place called "The Tavern", ha, quite the original name don't you think. He was talking to me about his castle and a maiden who worked for him, a shy girl who never complained and went about her business taking orders and helping around the place.. running the grounds day to day.. doing her job rather well and with much appreciation. He told me she worked for him for about 7 years but that she was leaving him suddenly, when I asked why, he said she actually had her own castle and kingdom and that she had to spend more time there to tend to things of her own. A secret she kept from him, although really it wasn't much of a secret, more so an unspoken thing. Considering all she did, that was hard for him, her leaving and all. He said she never mentioned it and that he wished her well and had a great respect for her despite being in a pickle and having to hire new help. He spoke no ill will towards her and actually went out of his way to say how much he admired her and would be there to help her if she needed anything from him. So why on earth am I mentioning this? Well, I wish people well... it's my nature and it's not a nature I find often on the trail. I seem to notice that most people have plans for you, and try to fit you into a box they built for you... out of some need they have to exist themselves. I'll get to the point... So, if for any reason you wonder about your own path in life and the people who are around you on the journey, ask yourself if they truly wish you well when it counts. My advice would be to try to keep as many people as possible around you that answer "YES" to that question. A few of the "No's" are ok too... they add a little flavor and entertainment along that long road to your field of dreams. Sorry for being so philosophical today, but I'm shooting a video for 'Stargazer" this weekend and my blood is running thin and fast, as are my wits. The ghost of sleep is trying to catch me, but I'm running hard and fast and without apology. Don't ask, 'Yes".

- evermore

#diamondshadder #inspiration #evermore #lametal #ezra #safetravels #gathering #opera #tenor #journal #Evermore #singer #losangeles #heavymetalsinger #childofthesun #stargazer #video #mrhadder

Quiet waters for gatherings

"Behold the war, child of the son,

To end all wars, thy will be done,

A last the trick to death begot,

the light returned, but not for naught.."

I notice as I travel down the river that I’m seeing less and less boats. The shorelines are a bit overgrown and there are odd noises coming from the woods at night. Ezra is with me on deck today, she's been down below for a few months… she’s not a fan of the water, I don’t think any of her kind are. There’s a certain ominous feeling in the air as I proceed down river to the falls… I think you have to cross some kind of crazy to reach the mad. There’s a strong part of me that wants to dive into the water and never come back up… at times it seems that would be so much easier, though I know that’s a false notion. I ride huge waves each day, morning to night. The sun, she brings a smile and a sense of hope and adventure as I chart an unknown course, feeding hummingbirds that frequent my deck… while the night brings a dark somber hopelessness that I often wonder about and curse. I hear stories of a phantom and dragonflies that rule the waterways, stargazer dreams and I wonder if I’ll ever see old comrades past the point of no return. And then there’s the rabbit, who’s been traveling along the shore with me… a strange beast large than 2 men, walking partially upright and grunting when it’s close. I sometimes think it might jump aboard and devour me like a carrot. I guess we’ll see what comes of the rabbit and his presence. I’ve realized that I wish great things for my friends and enemies a like, always, if only they could wish the same for me. If they did, perhaps I wouldn’t be on this amazing adventure alone. It’s odd, but I’m so grateful for such things. Failure on all levels is such a great tool to add to your magic belt of tricks. Shhhh… I should go, Ezra is growling, I think something is about to happen. Be well and stay your own course.

- evermore

#diamondshadder #inspiration #evermore #lametal #ezra #safetravels #gathering #opera #tenor #journal #Evermore #singer #losangeles #heavymetalsinger #rabbittales