Brethren

[drunk]

Does anybody know what is Brethren up to these days? I'd really like to hear some new material from David (hopefully) during this year. This is one of the very few projects that get better and better with each new release. I burnt this cdr with Kingdom Coming, The Chosen, the "Zionist Axiom" comp track, and a bunch of tracks from the debut cd and the live cdr that I've been listening to while driving to work, at work, driving home from work and at home for like 2 weeks straight and I simply can't get enough of this!

I know David takes his time in order to release top-quality stuff, which is much appreciated (quality control should be a MUST for every artist, and not releasing every single thing they record), but the hunger for more is unsatiable.

[RG]

Indeed. When FA released the Kingdom Coming 7" last year, I seem to remember Mikko mentioning something about an upcoming album, maybe?

I'm sure if/when a new album is released, it will be killer.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

When vinyl versions are gone/almost sold out, perhaps small edition of 10"+7" on CD.
As far as I know, new album realistic schedule to 2011.

We'll see if there would be need to re-press the debut CD as well.

[WATERPOWER]

This is a project I too have recently come to really appreciate and enjoy, just as you have- in the car to and from work. I've been even more so enjoying Organized Resistance as well. I hope the 10"+7" on CD decision comes true.

[RyanWreck]

Brethren, Revolutionary Command and Organized Resistance are at the top of the P.E. food chain, together they form the holy trinity of the best racial Power Electronics units to ever emerge from the American scene. It doesn't hurt that I am a nationalist as well and am pretty much share most of the same political views. The sounds on all of the releases alone, without lyrics, are powerful and definitely stand out, they have a very American feel to them but without all of the exhausting, conventional bells and whistles. But Brethren without lyrics isn't Brethren. The lyrics are the backbone of the entire project and I would probably listen even if it was just spoken word because each sentence is perfectly crafted, put together in an intelligent manner that is captivating to hear especially upon first listen while also very convincing; you can feel his passion.

[Andrew McIntosh]

Brethren's soap-box style hectoring is what puts me off the project the most. I got sick of anarcho-punk bands laying down the law each and every time, and when I hear Brethren, I hear the same finger wagging that I heard with them. I feel the same way about Black Bloc, at least, the earlier material of his I've heard. If there's one thing I can't stand it's "a message", especially a political one.

As for the actual Noise, "Within Death..." didn't strike me as very interesting and I didn't get why there was so much approval for it (that I noticed). I've heard "The Chosen" and found it interesting but not enjoyable; the constant, barking lyrics right through made it too dull. I seem to recall hearing "Kingdom Coming" somewhere, and thinking it was a lot better.

Organized Resistance's "Day Of The Rope", on the other hand, struck a much better emotional balance between sound, word and emotion with me. Even though I oppose the politics, I found this album enjoyable. Some great moments on it. I also prefer what I've heard of Revolutionary Command and tend to think Mr. Rodgers works best in a collaborative mode, than alone.

[RG]

If you haven't listened to the full length, then you should. Same material as some songs on Within Death.... but much more developed and "mature" sounding. Really a great album, maybe a bit too long, but overall a very very solid album.

I have to laugh at this whole Nationalism thing. American Nationalism, really? I can understand European Nationalism, or any other culture/nation that's existed for a long time, but c'mon American Nationalism is a joke. What proud culture and tradition in American history needs to be preserved? The melting-pot culture we have, which is a combination of every damn culture in the world? Also, when you take into account the array of wildly differing regions and attitudes within the US, the idea of a comprehensive American Nationalism is absurd. The only thing that unites Joe in Seattle to Jim Bob in South Carolina is the fucking brand of deodorant they buy and the TV shows they watch. THAT is our glorious culture.

For the most part, I think people touting American Nationalism are really just confused Europhiles, and also people who want to feel a part of something greater than they are (which also can be said of religion, political parties, etc...). The only American Nationalism I would accept would be from Native Americans.

BTW, I'm an American.

[Andrew McIntosh]

Also, when you take into account the array of wildly differing regions and attitudes within the US, the idea of a comprehensive American Nationalism is absurd. The only thing that unites Joe in Seattle to Jim Bob in South Carolina is the fucking brand of deodorant they buy and the TV shows they watch. THAT is our glorious culture.

My understanding is that, in practice, the US is not really one nation, but a few. Since there has been civil war between the northern and southern states, and a seemingly vast difference in culture, that would make sense. Who knows, maybe one day the US will go the way of the USSR.

[RyanWreck]

I have to laugh at this whole Nationalism thing. American Nationalism, really? I can understand European Nationalism, or any other culture/nation that's existed for a long time, but c'mon American Nationalism is a joke. What proud culture and tradition in American history needs to be preserved? The melting-pot culture we have, which is a combination of every damn culture in the world? Also, when you take into account the array of wildly differing regions and attitudes within the US, the idea of a comprehensive American Nationalism is absurd. The only thing that unites Joe in Seattle to Jim Bob in South Carolina is the fucking brand of deodorant they buy and the TV shows they watch. THAT is our glorious culture.

I would say that for the most part you are right, about 99% of the so called "nationalists" are not what they seem to be at all and are usually doing it to boost their ego, be a part of something bigger (as you stated), for convenience and/or they are simply idiots. People do need to separate Nationalism from racism, even if it usually goes hand-in-hand, in order to really get a clear picture of both and then assemble both pieces back together if they fit. Racism can be quite funny at times and being too proud of something you can't control, i.e. who your mother fucked to make you, is pretty asinine once you think about it. Having pride in what you or your race has become or what you have done is something entirely different but that usually isn't the case with racists. I've seen what some of the top leaders of "racist" groups act like in private and when they are around each other, I've been to prison twice and I am white so it goes without saying that I had to associate with them. I won't go deep into my politics in a Brethren thread but I will just say that for most of us it simply boils down to unconventional love and loyalty to your nation and those people who you share it with. The love and the loyalty that drives that emotion is instinctual and you could compare it to something like a Mother and Child bond or, if that is too far for you, a dog and its owner. A dog may be trained so that it may fit nicely into the rules of the house, it may get a quick hit on the nose or be put in a cage/chained up when he disobeys those rules but he will always be loyal to his owner no matter how many times he gets disciplined or ignored. I guess that is the most clear and concise analogy (although not that great, I admit) I can come up with off the top of my head without really getting deep into it and de-railing the thread.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

Like most of the Brethren interviews done in recent years, I would think Brethren doesn't stand for blatant "racism" or fascist order. As far as I remember, he has expressed several times appreciate the original country fathers vision. And doesn't believe government role is to dictate morality or such. Where community standard can decide what is the way to go?

Now when europe goes step by step toward European Federation, you can wonder how healthy it is to try to impose the moral guidelines and legistlation all over the vast masses of people who differ from eachother on many ways, living in distant corners of continent. For many years there has been process of building systems that enable enslaving the nations and sold for... perhaps not even highest bidder, but most grotesque hustlers.

To me, it would seem foolish to see Brethren as "racist", even if racialist ideals may belong to certain things. I see it more as project that promotes idea to stand for yourself, your family and your way of life, against the enemy who's benefit is creation of the rootless consumer sheep. Project doesn't even have to present itself with the most valid political arguments, which would automatically tie it to certain time and moment. General attitude which allows to relate many of topics discussed in lyrics.

To me music stands superior whatever the content would be, but also this highly unique approach of non-offensive and non-vulgar way of talking of subjects adds the great extra.

[Goat93]

I can understand European Nationalism, or any other culture/nation that's existed for a long time, but c'mon American Nationalism is a joke.

Europe Nationalism havn't exist already till now, so the American Nationalism is here far "older". But thats not the Point. Nationalism is in my Opinion the assiciation with the Folk and the Land and this must
grow about some time for sure. But since the Nations in Europe are all, like America, mixed with other
folks and nations, there are the same "joke" about it.
If your for example an English Nationalist, you pretend on the Country, not on the People, since the people are a total mix of many other folks, countries and cultures.
If your a nationalist in the way of the people, you must accept that your a cultural mix with all-over
the-world influences.

[Ritual]

Europe Nationalism havn't exist already till now, so the American Nationalism is here far "older".

I don't think nationalism connected to Europe as a continent was implied, rather nationalism in European countries... British nationalism, French nationalism etc.

[Ernpe]

If your for example an English Nationalist, you pretend on the Country, not on the People, since the people are a total mix of many other folks, countries and cultures.

I find it quite hard to understand what is the country about, if not the people with their culture, habits and such. The nature? Also, mixure of folk in Europe and mixure of folk in US are on whole different levels - not to say there hasn´t been quite much mixing in Europe too.

On topic: Organized Resistances cd is by far most appealing of Brethren & related stuff. Well done & thought, varying pe -> excellent cd. I suppose it was a one time project?

[Goat93]

country=land
Culture=people

The Country makes the People but the People can't change a Country normaly (besides of Oel Pests, Industrie and normal devastation of course). The People in Afrika are under other Natural Circumstances
than in Finnland. And normaly the People are Nationalistic about their "Homeland" and Land where they
live. Not the People around them. Today in Europe there is no real Traditional Culture to be Proud of,
just ruins of past Nations. There are no "typical" germans, English, Polish, Russian ect. People. You
can just jump around the world for easy money. The boundaries to the land are lost.

Other would be the heritage of the Culture, this is about the people in common. English Traditions,
Swedish Traditions ect...
But then you mix the People with the land and the people change, the land won't change. With the
People change the Culture/Tradition too. So Americans have "their" tradition and their "culture" and
the most common argument is about the mixing in America. Its not "their" its from europe, asia and
so forth. But in the end, the europe or single nations tradition is also mixed and changed  a lot.

Nationalism is a complex theme...

[Andrew McIntosh]

country=land
Culture=people

Both of which are extremely pliable and can be used, manipulated and changed as seen fit. A lot of people forget that, though.