Chasing Empires

1.

It has been only three years since Stained Glass Menagerie called it quits, but for Zach Stephen, it has been longer than that.

Despite the six-piece rock band's sudden breakup three years back, their fan base kept on growing. The fans—from those who have been with the band since its inception, to those born after the band's breakup—were all asking for the band to come back. There were hundreds, maybe even thousands, of bands that shot up like mushrooms in the dawn of the emo, or scene, era, but only a few managed to stand through the test of time, either by staying true to their post-hardcore roots or by gradually stepping up to metalcore, which was the trend nowadays. Stained Glass Menagerie chose the latter, and actually gained truckloads more of fans when they did. Which was why the band's sudden decision to part ways with each other after a decade had been heartbreaking not only for their own fans but for the rock music scene in general.

The common reasons for a band's hiatus or breakup were (1) irreconcilable differences or disagreement among the band members, (2) disputes with the recording company they are affiliated with, and (3) life getting in the way—that is, the band members having families or deciding to pursue other career paths. Stained Glass Menagerie decided to disband because of the third common reason, and it was true. But if one would ask Zach, and if he would willingly answer, there was more to it than that.

Last year, he had another breakup, or something like it. His wife had filed a divorce after they were married for seven years, and she was able to win custody over their only daughter, who would be celebrating her sixth birthday in a week. (Good thing his wife still allowed him to visit her and their daughter from time to time.) It was depressing indeed. But Zach wondered why it should be so, when the divorce had actually granted him the freedom he had so longed for.