Hallowed Ground

A few weeks ago I was in Washington D.C. for a couple days. I have been there many times but this time I decided to do a little filming as I visited some of the monuments. This weekend as I was looking at the footage this song 'Hallowed Ground' came out of it. Jen and I did our back and forth all weekend putting this song and video together. I do have personal ties to some of the imagery in the video, in particular the very last scene. That's not just any random spot I decided to kneel down at.

Anyway, we're struggling a bit with vocals for our new record as sometimes life just happens and we get delayed. I will tell you that I am very proud of the music and lyrics we have put together so far. Our mixes are cleaner, tones are crisper, and lyrics are crafty and meaningful. In the meantime, as we continue work on the album we decided to put this instrumental song and video out and offer the song for free on our website for anyone who joins our mailing list. So if you're interested just go to http://www.evansandstokes.com and you'll see the mailing list form right at the top of the page.

This song has a long build up that is a bit different from anything we've done before, but in holding true to Evans and Stokes style it takes a hard turn at about the halfway mark. Although this is an instrumental I think the images used in the video speak for themselves with the meaning behind them that peace always seems to be short lived and the cost of war is immeasurable.

Here is 'Hallowed Ground' by Evans and Stokes.

I like how the beat that kicks in at the first shot of the cemetery sound like a heart beat.

Yeah, that's cool.  Arlington Cemetery has always been one of my sacred places in this world.

Nice song.  I'll ask the maybe-too-personal question (so feel free to not answer)--what's your relationship to that soldier?

messiaen77 wrote:

Yeah, that's cool.  Arlington Cemetery has always been one of my sacred places in this world.

Nice song.  I'll ask the maybe-too-personal question (so feel free to not answer)--what's your relationship to that soldier?

My cousin. We grew up together. He was a drill sergeant in the US Army and sent to Iraq to train the Iraqi military. He was killed along with 21 others by a suicide bomber in a FOB mess tent on December 21, 2004. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery and that is his grave at the end of the video. 

Walking through D.C. and looking at some of the monuments is a unique experience, especially the Vietnam wall. So many names it's hard to grasp. But visiting Arlington National Cemetery is overwhelming. There are over 400,000 graves there and walking among them really makes you think about a lot of things.

Like it! Thanks for sharing.

Another fantastic song!

I was out of town for a few days and just got back. Thanks guys for the nice comments!

I liked that. I like the long slow buildup and especially the part where there’s both metal and symphony going together.  Influenced a little by Believer’s “Dies Irae”? It reminded me a little bit of that, even though it sounds different from it.

My oldest brother is buried in Arlington as well. USAF Major.

MikeInFla wrote:

My oldest brother is buried in Arlington as well. USAF Major.

Sorry for your loss Mike. There are so many brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, sons, and daughters there. It really is a sacred place.

Follower of Jesus wrote:

I liked that. I like the long slow buildup and especially the part where there’s both metal and symphony going together.  Influenced a little by Believer’s “Dies Irae”? It reminded me a little bit of that, even though it sounds different from it.

Thanks! I had to go check out Dies Irae. Pretty cool.