A Nightmare & A Cataclysm first got together to write music in October, 2003. After putting together our first rather simple-but-noisy song, "Famous Last Words," (now 'the simplest of spoken hexes') we didn't practice for a month. We all realized that there was potential in our music and so we got back together, decided on the name (which is derived from an H.P. Lovecraft story "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward"), and then wrote 4 more songs for our first show at a friend's house. Since then, we've been writing better songs and playing more shows with the likes of The Wage of Sin, Bloodcoven, Modern Life is War, and PsyOpus. We put out our first DIY recording, "Before the Toe Tags," a split with Olympus Mons (of which, Steven is also a member), which was recorded live at WRFL, the University of Kentucky's student radio station, on July 13th 2004 (6 songs each band). This edition as well as Slim (Cadaver in Drag)'s 2nd edition (released on Blood Red Casettes) has sold out of copies. Limestone Records released our first full-length "By her fingernails & teeth," produced by Mark Borders of Eugene Records. We continue onward writing new music and touring America and Japan. Look for our as-of-yet untitled new release, a split with Last Of All (Osaka, Japan), at the end of this month (March '07).

For a REVIEW of By Her Fingernails & Teeth, click HERE.

~ MEMBERS ~
vocals: michael jenkins
guitar: matt sigler
guitar: steven jenkins
bass: matt gibson
drums: dennis emanuel

LYRICS

The Simplest of Spoken Hexes
Bleed me slowly, or I'll ruin right away
I'll stay until I'm drained, because I never learn
I know no better, and I never learn
This will make the third time I've died...
And if third time's the charm, I know it'll be the best
I cannot let go, because those words are tar
I've enjoyed drowning thus far
The skeletons in your closet dance with me every night
And tonight I'm waltzing with them all
If you don't let me go, I'll become one myself
I feel I'm already becoming one myself
My flesh is crawling with remnants of yesterday
I swear to god I'll stay as long as you...
Just use that three word curse

Forgot to Write
There was a time we exchanged lies
But now those eyes, I do not recognize
Oh god, I fell for this again
What I called love, you participated, cringed and you called it a sin
(I've given you everything)
So, you take my dying breath, and I'll take whatever's left
Because it'll take everything in me to forgive you of this
My lips are still bleeding with the taste of our last kiss
Turned away with a smile, you thought it was all so simple
I hope you burn like your pictures 'till memory serves me no good
Forget I was ever here, this I ask of you
Promise me you will, and I'll forget about you
I want to die forgetting you

As Far As My Cold Dead Hands Can Reach
This time it's out of my hands, so far out of my reach
And now the sun is going out and I can't so much as...
See...This...Makes...No...
Since when did I decide that this was what I wanted?
What the hell have I done to myself?
I'd seek help from anybody, but no one is listening
'You'll be fine' is what they say, but you must find a better...
I reach out my arms, but there's nothing to grasp
Not a soul is remotely near; I'm left with tangible fear
I fear where I'm going, where I've been
I only wanted to move forward but wound up where I began
Don't say you know what's best
You're no better than the rest
I will see for myself

Last in Line Gets Leftovers
Give me one good reason, I'll give you a million why not
Maybe it's cynicism, but how am I the one at fault?
It's said these things just take time, but for once, won't something just be mine?
I'd bleed every ounce that I have and sign over the deed to my soul
As if that would ever be enough to erase every truth untold
My everything is spread so thin, played at every table where the house always wins
I'll pretend that it's not bother, that's worked thus far
But every move I make is an attempt to tear you apart
My sight may be broken, but my aim is true
Don't think for a single moment that I don't know you
I breathe, eat and sleep your every move
Living to watch you fall, I won't be the only one to
Lose...This...Time...Something will be
I...will...break...every tie that binds you to me
We'll be a non-entity
I'll finish what you started, and kill this last memory
I know just how, it all ends now

You're No Betty Page
It's not that I don't care, it's just that you would be so pretty if...
You kissed the pavement at one million miles an hour, and opened your eyes along the way
My body is breaking daily and it's bleeding things you couldn't comprehend.
I don't hold that against you specifically, but I find it grounds to despise you eternally
If you were uncertain, let me make it clear; it's painfully obvious you're unwanted here. Hop back on your high-horse and ride the fuck out of town. None of us wanted you hanging around
Out the window, and I mean right now
This is for the best, I hope you know
Cut those bangs any shorter
And I'll smack you on principle alone

Sulfer Smells Like Roses in Comparison
These bloody scars will serve as a reminder
That believing is much like drowning
Feeble cries for help are the only sound you make
Fight as you might, you're all alone
Left to my own defenses, I call that hot salvation
Call me Morning Star, I refuse to take this anymore
I traded in my halo for a pair of horns
Descent never felt so divine
Try as you like, you know that I'm right
We'll see better by the light of...
Flames will hold us tight, burning bright
Eternity we'll see
Searching for a purpose? Well, I've got a plan
And I guarantee I'm just as qualified
I'm fickle, wrathful, and every bit as envious
You say that I'm wrong, but you cannot argue with this
(Your arms/smile)
Flailing your arms and gasping for air; breathing in water an hour a week
But the charm around your neck, and smile on your face speaks volumes to me
I'm not sure what you're going through, but I know what this is coming to...
On your knees and hands clasped tight
Assurance that it's not all right
Obviously it's more important than me
This will end so badly

Catholic Guilt Never Felt So Good
Prepare a room for no one else
A steeple's view proves useless in this light
Prepare a room for no one else
The eyes of God were always watching
Prepare a room for no one else
God turned his head away just before he blinked
Prepare a room for no one else
I want to feel the worth a thousand martyred men
Dub me 'St. Anything' (Prepare this room for no one else)
(Blown a kiss) Blown a kiss from a crashing plane
(Blown a kiss) Made a necklace from a rope
(Blown a kiss) Lovers do the damnedest things
Prepare a room for no one else
The last breath of dying children
Is wisdom from the mouths of babes
If we stop and turn away now,
We'll forget why we came
Substance for the masses
I've drawn a blank at what it means
Broken glass thru broken hands
It never meant a thing
Beware falling debris, it's time this pedistal come down
And for the fabric of time to be completely unwound
I am unravelling into nothing

On the Contrary, Flattery Will Get Me Everywhere
A spoonful of sugar helps the whore go down
Pour it on her wounds to make them sweeter to lick
Nothing's more attractive than excess bagage
Self-loathing is the best aphrodesiac
I trace the curvature of her belly with my eyes
And sink my teeth deep into the idea
This time restraint won't be my saving grace
A body to be my new panacea
Wasted semen spilled into my hands
Convulsing with the memory of sex from twenty feet away
Honey spoils far too soon
Breaking the hive will ruin the crop
There's got to be a purer form of love than this
Skin gives way to skin
Penetration is the sincerest form of flattery
Acceptance made thru exceptions
Hardened hearts grind into dust