What I've witnessed, managers are divisive and allow musicians to become clouded, irresponsible, and unaware of the world around them.

I am far from an "old" person in human terms, however I've spent over half my life immersed in the punk rock and hardcore community. I am not wholly defined by that as a person, but it is something that has been part of me for a long time.

Genres aren't that relevant. Nearly every form of music is a melting pot of things of things.

It's important me as a musician and also as an occasional show goer to feel the presence of a band on stage, to hear a PA reverberating and slapping off the walls, the push and pull of an audience, the blood, sweat, and heat. It's a primal thing in a way.

What I've witnessed, managers are divisive and allow musicians to become clouded, irresponsible, and unaware of the world around them.

I feel that bands can do whatever they want, after all, they own themselves and the art/music they create.

If anything, I feel that the current generation of listeners of heavy music are progressing a bit passed their gateway bands and are digging deeper than they used to and understanding more abrasive and complex music and art. It's like being around an unfamiliar language long enough that it eventually begins to make sense.