Annexation (Latin ad, to, and nexus, joining) is the de jure incorporation of some territory into another geo-political entity (either adjacent or non-contiguous). Usually, it is implied that the territory and population being annexed is the smaller, more peripheral, and weaker of the two merging entities, barring physical size. It can also imply a certain measure of coercion, expansionism or unilateralism on the part of the stronger of the merging entities. Because of this, more positive terms like political union or reunification are sometimes preferred. Annexation differs from cession and amalgamation, because unlike cession where territory is given or sold through treaty, or amalgamation (where the authorities of both sides are asked if they agree with the merge), annexation is a unilateral act where territory is seized and held by one state and legitimized via general recognition by the other international bodies (i.e. countries and intergovernmental organisations).

During World War II the use of annexation deprived whole populations of the safeguards provided by international laws governing military occupations. The authors of the Geneva Convention IV made a point of "giving these rules an absolute character", thus making it much more difficult for a state to bypass international law through the use of annexation.

A Static Lullaby was a post-hardcore band formed in Chino Hills, California in 2001. ASL's music has been classified under many sub-genres of rock. Their musical style has been labeled as post-hardcore, emo, screamo, metalcore, alternative metal and southern rock.

A Static Lullaby came together after a casual high school jam session that led its members to quit their existing bands and come together as one. Formed in 2001 in Chino Hills, CA, the group began with singer Joe Brown, bassist Phil Pirrone, drummer Brett Dinovo, and guitarists Dan Arnold and Nathan Lindeman. Their first show was a mere two weeks after forming, and it started a buzz about the band that continued to be built upon throughout the local circuit.

In September 2001 the band recorded their first home made song called "Withered". They released it as a demo and burned CDs with the song on it. They then recorded 2 other songs; "A Sip of Wine Chased With Cyanide" and "A Song for a Broken Heart" and released them on a demo, when in 2002 they released their EP, Withered, they sold 6,000 copies. After that they toured, performing the songs taken from the EP across the West Coast