Waiting on Forever

This was what I would categorise as one of my top 10 eBay steals. I scored this for a few quid a couple of years back, and everything about the sound and design is completely on point, so we'll go with this today. 

Petitioning Forever by Converge, released through Deathwish Inc. (DW147) under license from Equal Vision. This is from the 2nd press and is/1000. The three 2nd press variants were all /1000, and this one seems the nicest looking of the bunch. This has recently received a 3rd pressing on clear red vinyl. Both of these albums were remixed by Kurt Ballou and remastered by Alan Douches and sound massive compared to the original recordings. Normally remasters don't really appeal to me too much, but in parts these sound like new albums. So good. 

B-Side labels and back cover. Actually, I may have got the records the wrong way round. I'm sure it's not too important. Either way, The front and back sleeves of the record display the updated artwork of the band's two LP's 'Petitioning the Empty Sky' and 'When Forever Comes Crashing' respectively. The labels of the 'Petitioning' LP feature the updated artwork on one side, and the art from the 'Petitioning the Empty Sky' 7'' on the other. Furthermore, the 'Forever' LP contain the updated artwork, and then the original 'When Forever Comes Crashing' art on the other side. I have an OG copy of WFCC on Equal Vision, but not PTES. I'd love a copy of that record. In fact, my Converge collection is a little thin on the ground and I really need to change that. 

Inside the gate-fold and to the artwork. The art was handled by Aaron Turner of Isis and Hydra Head Records fame, and then the layout and additional art was courtesy of Jacob Bannon. 

As this is the 2nd press, there is no bonus 7'' (came with the 1st press only), but there is an essay of sorts 

called Waiting on Forever written by Chris Gramlich, and I'm not too sure who he is but it's a cool read. That takes up the first half of the fold out, and the bottom half is lyrics and credits. There was some lineup switching and stuff, particularly on Petitioning the Empty Sky so the credits are pretty extensive. 

Front and back art of the fold out. These faces originally appeared on the centre labels on the Equal Vision press of Petitioning the Empty Sky. These LP's are incredible listens, and i'm glad I picked this up. From having the original cuts on CD for years, stepping up both in terms of sound and format in the same listen made it a complete game changer. 

Tiny vinyl

I may have touched on this a little bit before. I love Converge. They are one of the best hardcore bands around, have broken some incredible ground and pack every ounce of passion into what they do. Also, they're in the UK right now so it seems fitting. 

This is a cool release that Ellington Records put out way back in the day. I bought it probably around a year ago but I used to be so slack on this blog I never wrote about it. It's a two track 5 inch record, the A side is the track Downpour (which later surfaced on the Unloved and Weeded Out compilation) and the other is a Violence (Vio-Lence) cover of the song Serial Killer. 

The record does not come in a dust cover, but is housed inside the sleeve as it folds out pretty neatly. 

This shows both sides of the fold out. The far left panels on both photos are the song lyrics. The bottom centre photo is where the record sits in the jacket, and with the extra thick poly sleeve it comes in, it stays pretty safe. 

This is a close up of the bottom far right panel. This explains that the record was limited to 1000 copies and that it's never to be repressed in this format. I know there was some kind of online argument about whether the plates had been burned/destroyed or not between Converge fans, but going from this, it's not looking hopeful. Even has an old mailing address, which is a cool little touch, but probably long obsolete. I believe these were split on 500 black/ 500 white, and I obviously ended up with a black copy. 

Furthermore, the copies were hand-numbered. This looks to be 704/1000, but i'm useless at reading handwriting. 

Furthermore, the cover folds out into this 10''x15'' poster. It's a really beautiful design, and I love that 'Sunman' logo, but to hang it would mean that the record would be left without a cover, so in the sleeve it stays. Some older Converge stuff (When Forever Comes Crashing for sure) often came with art or posters in the record sleeves. I believe Jane Doe was the last Converge record to have the 'Sunman' logo within the art, but I could be wrong. It's a shame. 

Finally, there was a small insert put in the sleeve by Ellington records, offering their perspective on the record and a bit of history on the Vio-Lence cover. It's a fun little read and i'm glad that it's in there; it's nice to have so much background reading over one release. 

This is the other side of the insert. That stupid drawing. When it arrived I thought that it was drawn on by a previous owner, but apparently it's printed there, on purpose. Think about that. On a cooler note, $3 ppd a 7''? Those were the good old days. 

Let Me See.... .... Some Fuckin Violence