Haste the Day Blog From Final Tour, Urge Fans to Lift Up and Not Tear Down

On Feb. 9, Haste the Day checked in with Noisecreep from their final tour before riding off into the metalcore sunset. The band -- beloved by spirit-filled rock fans -- was in Mesa, Ariz. when HTD vocalist Stephen Keech blogged from the road exclusively for Noisecreep. He was quite introspective, and we can't blame him. He's closing a chapter of his life that had a profound impact on others.

One thing is for sure: They still send all their glory to God, as they did through all of their career. Regardless of your faith affiliation, Haste the Day will be missed.

"Twelve days into our farewell tour, I find myself sitting in a place called Gotham City Comics and Coffee, wondering exactly how the past five years of my life has lead me to this place today. Tonight we are playing at the Nile theater in Mesa. Haste the Day have been together for around 10 years now. A whole decade. I used to think that 10 years would feel like a lifetime, but the older I get, the days seem to disappear into the vastness of our life itself. So small and fragile and massive at the same time.

"I started my journey with HTD in January 2006. My time used to be measured by shows played. And then tours completed. And then albums recorded. And now, as this chapter in our lives comes to a close the page is only turned to a new and exciting page that marks a continuation, in a different form, of the plot that was set in the previous chapter.

"Over the years, we have seen and done a lot of things that took us by surprise. Constantly striving to be more that we are and love deeper than we have ever loved and being repeatedly attacked by the relentlessness of apathy and self defeat. The gracious hand of God has pulled our spirits out of the bottomless pit countless times over and he has stamped on us a word to spread. 'A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know you are my disciples, if you love one another.' -- John 13:34-35

"There have been times when we are good at this, and there have been times where we have failed. Our prayer is that God takes our efforts and multiplies them through you. Although Haste the Day is coming to an end, our purpose is an ancient one and is much bigger than Haste the Day itself: Love the people around you. Help bring an end to the self-righteous judgment that is ever so present in the hardcore and metal scene. Make every effort to have quiet and meek spirits geared to heal instead of condemn. To lift up as opposed to bring down.

"We are all in this life together and we need each other to prosper. 'For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith, goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.' -- 2 Peter 1:5-7

"This tour has been a complete blessing to us. Before the tour started, I viewed it as a way that we can play one last time in all of our favorite cities, but as the tour continues on I realize that this tour is for us to say goodbye to our friends. For years, we have seen you at shows and you have allowed us to damage your hearing, pummel you with lines of eager stage divers, stress you out with constant lineup changes and changes in the overall sound of the band.

"But you have given us more than we deserve. You have stayed with us and given us the drive and energy to make this band happen. Your prayers and encouragement have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated. Go and be anchors of love in a loveless scene, as we will attempt to do the same in our own personal lives. God bless."