With The Flesh Prevails,Fallujah are primed to become kings of their genre; though that might be by default because there might not be another band doing what they do. Or at least as good as they do it. Mixing the vocals of brutal death metal with the musicianship of elite level prog players, Fallujah have crafted a masterpiece of an album.
Guitarists Scott Carstairs and Brian James play as if they really wanted to find out what it would sound like if Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci made a death metal record. But to pigeonhole Fallujah as death metal feels wrong. They combine the best of multiple genres. From synth-laden atmospheres to choppy machine gun riffs to beautiful neoclassical guitar lines, Fallujah doesn’t struggle with such a juggling act. They’re a band with a very clear idea of who they are and what they want to do. The Flesh Prevails was written with purpose, each song gives way to the one following it but also builds off the one before. If you have the time, this album is meant to be listened to from start to finish.
The opening track “Starlit Path” gives you just a taste of what’s to come; this is a record of textures. Each player getting their time to shine which leads to comparisons of Rush. And it’s strange how the biggest comparison I can make is to prog bands because Fallujah sounds nothing like them. But the craftsmanship that goes into that kind of music is apparent throughout the record. They have taken a template and made it their own. On paper, it sounds like a convoluted mess, but it works. The band seamlessly shifts from genre to genre but never loses repeating themes that tie everything together. The instrumental track “Allure” brings forth the absolutely amazing dedication these guys must have to their instruments.
But it’s the song “Alone With You” that lets you know who this band is. It’s a full-blown synth-heavy atmospheric track that is completely different from everything else on the album and feels like it would find a better home on an electronica mix. No gutteral vocals, no blast beats, no twisting guitar solos. Sparse beautiful female vocals line the song which makes this a track that challenges metal fans, usually and unfortunately a close minded bunch. This track should feel out-of-place on this record yet it doesn’t. And that’s why this album works. “Alone With You” may end up being the overlooked track on the record but it is the most important one. It shows risk and bravery and those things are too far and few in the world of heavy music.
There’s a word I keep coming back to with this album, beautiful. From the cover art to the way they blend soft vocals in at key moments, to the crystal clear guitar tone, this album is refined and sophisticated. But it’s not a hard listen. Sometimes bands seem like they want to be technical just for the sake of showing off their chops. Fallujah are not that band. They play this way because that’s the way they play. It’s not forced, it’s not faked, it’s an evolutionary step in technical death metal. Hopefully some bands with a stale sound will take notice because The Flesh Prevails has every right to be labeled influential to the genre.
At the end of 2014 it’s hard to tell where The Flesh Prevails will stand with the best of the year. There is tough competition for sure with Behemoth unleashing the monster that is The Satanist and Carnifex’s stellar Die Without Hope, but it’s safe to say Fallujah have made a defining record not only for this year, not only for them as a band, but for death metal as a genre.
Key Tracks: Starlit Path, Levitation, Alone With You
It is nearly impossible to talk about the music community in Watertown without discussing the fun-loving guys of Wagner’s Agenda. The band started in 2010 and has struggled with various line ups over the years. In 2014, playing more than 160 shows a year, Andrew Willis, Mark Getman Jr, Gino Cappuccetti, and Bobby Perkins, have formed the perfect combination of talent. This foursome is not only incredibly talented but has proved to be a great asset to the community. From performing several benefits every year, including the annual Keith Brabant Music Scholarship Festival, to sparking a change in the music scene by hosting local jam nights and sharing the stage at their own gigs; Wagner’s Agenda are the kind of guys’ fans love to root for. While performing in a wide range of genres the band shows the versatility in their talent. It truly seems there is nothing these guys can not do. They have won the hearts of followers with their talent and showmanship. One is almost guaranteed a good time with Wagner’s Agenda. In the words of keyboard player Gino Cappuccetti, “Having fun is the name of the music game.” As I sat down to talk with them, I learned the fun doesn’t stop on stage.
Katrina Johnson: How did you guys get started?
Guitarist, Bobby Perkins.
Gino Cappuccetti: We started after we lost a buddy, Keith Barabant. I had been playing in a cover band with him. When we lost him my son was almost a year old, we were doing things that didn’t make us money, still playing a lot but it was like we need this cover band. Bobby and I were playing Queen August at the time with two other gentlemen and we decided none of us can sing, so we hired Ian Wagner. After he left I called Mark and Anthony Ubriaco and I said any interest? That was in 2011 and that lineup stayed for a while. So about a year ago when Anthony left we hired Andrew
Mark Getman: But that’s it,this is final.
KJ: So you guys have found the right line up?
Gino Cappuccetti: Bands are a funny thing. Before I always felt like if I did something wrong I’m going to lose this. I never felt like anything was solidified, with these guys I do. We are all friends, there is communication. I can’t find this anywhere else in Northern NY. I have played with a lot of people and this just feels right. It’s not even about the playing, I can sit and talk to them, but when we play its extra special.
BobbyPerkins: We are at that point now where we can listen to any song, any style and say I think we can do that somehow. We are just that band that goes for what other bands think is impossible
Gino Cappuccetti: At this point it isn’t just about the music. We are a live band going out, we have to entertain our age group as well as older generations. The talking, the jokes, the antics, that’s a huge draw for us. You work all week, you want to get away from it, you come see us. We bring that element.
KJ: Were you guys friends before or did you meet through the music community?
Andrew Willis: Gino and Mark knew each other growing up. They jammed together. Gino and I jammed once when we were kids. Like 15 or 16. We didn’t really hit it off. We weren’t necessarily the best of friends.
Gino Cappuccetti: He was talented; it had nothing to do with that. I was just young.
Andrew Willis: I met Mark through my fiance. She knew they had this band so I went to see them. It was just this energy that I wasn’t finding in any other band. A year later with some pushing and nudging I was in the band.
Gino Cappuccetti: Bobby and Mark really made the best move. I was apprehensive at first. He was busy. I was like how is this guy going to join the busiest band up here. But it has worked. Bobby started Wagner’s with me with the lineup from Queen August.
BobbyPerkins: We actually met at a music store. My brother and I were talking about music theory and Gino chimes in, talking our ears off. So he invites us out to see him play, it was the first time I had ever seen him play keyboard, and I thought he was really good. I moved away to Florida and when I came back 2 years later I ran into him. He had me come out and jam again. We started talking and he told me about Queen August.
KJ: I have noticed you guys play in a lot of different genres. Do you have a favorite?
Gino Cappuccetti: I don’t think we all agree on one. I like progressive and rock and fusion. But that’s my roots. Bobby’s is metal. I like everything.
Mark Getman: I appreciate progressive stuff,I’m not as crazy about that. I’m just hard rock. Rock and roll.
Andrew Willis: Maybe it’s just because I’m a bass player,but I like songs that I have to be present for, I have to pay attention for them. The thing I really like is the nights when we are firing on all cylinders. Even if it’s cheesy music, when we are on one of those streaks where man we just can’t go wrong.
Gino Cappuccetti: As long as we are getting that energy back from them, it really doesn’t matter what we are doing. You can bring an old song,do it a little differently and people are like aha! Mark Getman: Not much is off limits for us
KJ: Do you guys want to take this further or are you happy with where you are now?
Mark Getman: We do. We are trying to figure out what that is and how it is going to work. For me personally, I’m really curious. I want to get out there and test the waters and see how we stack up to all the other bands in the scene.
Gino Cappuccetti: We can do this anywhere. It’s not just us going ‘oh yea good job Bobby’. People tell us, you guys have it. I don’t think we are going to Hollywood but I know we can take this farther. This is the pivotal point because I can book everything for next year in the next month.
Bobby Perkins: Otherwise you get too used to what you are doing.
Andrew Willis: Even for the sake of keeping things fresh. Playing in a band that played the same set list in the same order night after night that started to get crappy. We had the songs down but we basically turned into a jukebox. So even if we aren’t growing we are always going to be changing and adding things.
Gino Cappuccetti: Next year we are definitely going to take steps to branching out. There is talent everywhere. I just think it’s this combination. There are better bass players, singers, keyboard players, hell they are up here. But you can get four of the best together and they can’t work together. We have something unique. But those are the risks you take in the music business, all that talent, it’s still a lottery ticket. You have to make sacrifices.
Bass player, Andrew Willis, on drums.
KJ: One of my favorite things about you guys is almost every show I have been to Mark and Andrew switch places at some point. Was that always the plan?
Drummer, Mark Getman.
Mark Getman: That started when Anthony and Josh were in the band. I like to doodle on the bass. I’m just a frustrated musician, can’t really focus on one thing. I just thought it would be an interesting gimmick.
Andrew Willis: It makes sense with us at least because we are both rhythm section.
Mark Getman: There are just some songs the rhythm section is just so simple. It gives me something to look forward to in the night. It gives me a chance to get up interact with the crowd. Its more of a challenge because it’s not my primary instrument. I think people like that novelty
KJ: Where did you each learn to play?
Bobby Perkins: A lot of us started in middle school. I picked up the trombone, and then the guitar about 3 years later, so music has always been part of my education.
Gino Cappuccetti: Mark and I had a really great band teacher in school. She encouraged me to play keyboard. She allowed us to stay after school with no supervision at 16, locked us in the band room and let us practice until 8 or 9 at night. Dawn Burnette was integral in our lives.
Andrew Willis: My uncle was a bass player, he taught me a couple of things. I was in 6th grade, I saw a kid playing bass in the jazz band and I told my mom I’m going to be in that band. So in 7th grade I joined. It got me in contact with a couple other guitar players. They wanted me to join their cover band. I thought it was cool because they were in high school and I was 11. I told my mom and she was like no. Eventually it worked out, she would come to all the bars so I could play, she had to I was 11. That was almost 20 years ago. When we were kids my mom had this learn piano Suzuki where you would listen to tapes, you have the music in front of you but you don’t know what you are looking at you just know how it sounds, I think that helped with being able to pick things up. We can all do that, I think that’s part of the magic. If someone comes up and pitches a song, ‘hey play this Dave song’, and we are like’ sure we’ve heard it once or twice’. It may not be perfect but it will be close.People who have gone to school and been trained properly I’m sure just look at us like a band of hooligans. But it’s the intangible things. Even if you have a problem with our technique, we can still put on a show and entertain you.
KJ: Who are your idols?
Bobby Perkins: As far as guitar is concerned, my Uncle Don. He heard I had an interest in the guitar and had me come down to the studio when he was playing. I just absolutely loved it. So I got a guitar, started learning the basics from him. I have too many influences to name, the list is so long.. Mark is into Rush so he exposed me to more of that kind of music and I started to gravitate towards that. Gino has opened a million doors for me coming from his background.
Gino Cappuccetti: I always liked music, I played video games as a kid, I always like the tunes in them. Id record them on a cassette tape so I could listen to that. I knew songs on the radio but it didn’t touch me. When you are a kid that’s what gets you. After that it was the band Genesis. I didn’t know a keyboard could make all these other sounds. I thought every weird sound on there was an instrument, it’s the keyboard. So I told my mom, I want a keyboard. From there it took off. Rick Wade and Keith Emerson are keyboard guys that influenced me. Steve Vibe was huge in my life, he was a guitar player. When I saw him, I was like I want to be able to command an audience like that. He’s just got something, that gimmick, that show, that presence, you need that. I don’t care if you are playing classical, if that’s the way you get rid of that energy there’s no rules.
Mark Getman: My mother always had rock music on so I grew up singing along to anything that would be considered classic rock now. The thing that made me want to play drums was Nirvana. They left their mark. The thing that I was drawn to was watching the “Smells like Teen Spirit’ video, there is a bunch of slow motion shots of Dave Grohl playing the drums, symbols going everywhere, hair is flying, and I was like man I want to play the drums. As I got older I moved on from Nirvana, and then I followed Dave Grohl into Foo Fighters, where he became front man. Dave Grohl is definitely a part of how I approach performing in front of people. He just gives his all, gets people pumped up, whether he’s playing on the drums or being front man. Once I got into college I got into this Rush obsession. I discovered a DVD of theirs and I was just blown away by their musicianship. They are awesome rock musicians. Geddy Lee is a big influence on how I like to sing, I have a higher voice I kind of emulate that in a lot of ways. I’m influenced by a lot of people. I like to think most anybody has something to offer.
Andrew Willis: My mom and dad played together. My dad wanted to be Jon Lennon, he had the white suit. My mom was awesome on the piano. So the only thing left in the house to form a trio was this bass. So I’m sitting their playing notes that don’t make ne sense, and my mom tells my dad just show him something. So he did. He started getting me into Jethro Tull and Frank Zappa. Tull in some of their early recordings the bass line pushed a lot of those songs. That’s where I started digging into bands that had bass players. Thin Lizzy, Red hot Chili peppers;Flea is a nutcase, if I could just tap into half of his energy. I started idolizing Jaco Pastrius for a while, a lot of these jazz greats who aren’t necessarily playing bass as much as they are playing another lead instrument. I cant play bass like a guitar.
Gino Cappuccetti: You could, I’ve seen you do solos. Most of the bass players up here are scared of him but he won’t tell u that, he doesn’t even think that. He is very accomplished. The guy is singing and playing like it’s no big deal, its hard to do.
Andrew Willis: I’ve never been comfortable playing in front of people. I feel like I’m doing something very personal. Its kind of selfish thing, I’m playing for me all the time, I’m like oh I like what I just did.
Mark Getman: I think Andrew being the way he is a nice counterpart to Gino and I.
Gino Cappuccetti: Andrew and I are probably the most different. Mark and I are alike when it comes to the business aspect. But when it comes to being an authoritarian, its Andrew.
KJ: So he is kind of like the dad of the group?
Gino Cappuccetti: More like the grandpa. We can get a little crazy, sometimes Andrew is like…a little too much. And he keeps things organized; he likes things to be in place. Mark doesn’t care. Bobby is right in the middle of it all. There are different personalities but the sense of humor is universal. We make each other laugh. But when Andrew first came along he didn’t assert himself. And it upset me. He kept saying it’s your band. It’s not. I just talk more than everybody else and make more phone calls. I can’t do this by myself.
Mark Getman: Andrew is such a kind, giving soul, so when he came in he was worried about stepping on peoples toes. But I’d like to think of us as a team. Everyone has their rolls, some more than others.
KJ: What do you want people to know about Wagner’s Agenda?
Gino Cappuccetti: One thing that has been said about us is that we have more guests than anybody in this area. Every night we have at least 5 people come in from other bands playing with us. We are very good at sharing the stage. We like to give back. We try to help our community because they pay our bills. We are very much into our music scene, it’s not like a competition.
Andrew Willis: We are trying to build things up instead of tearing them down.
Excitement continues to build as one of Upstate’s top music festivals, Backwoods Pondfest, is only a week away. The 8th annual 2 day festival will take place in Peru, NY on August 8 and 9 with live music, car camping, art and much more. Settled way up in the North Country, Backwoods attracts people of all ages from all over the East Coast each year with a family friendly environment and party loving attitude. The lineup is never a disappointment, making this year no different especially with Chali 2na and House of Vibe, Twiddle, Spiritual Rez, Turkuaz, plus many more. This “Road to Backwoods” edition will focus on the band hosting the festival itself, Lucid.
Lucid is versatile enough to perform in small bars or large outdoor stages with a strong stage presence that is fun and captivating. Given their Plattsburgh upbringing, their music is raw and honest that fuse together northern rock, funk and honky-tonk blues. Lucid will perform two sets throughout the festival weekend, an acoustic set on Friday night and an electric late night set on Saturday. This past year, Lucid was the winner of the March Madness tournament, a true testimony to their passionate fan base after going strong for 10 years together. Lucid will be performing TONIGHT at the Putnam Den in Saratoga Springs Aug 1, performing two sets starting at 9PM with a $7 cover for the 21+ event where you can also purchase tickets for Backwoods Pondfest.
Tickets are still available for Backwoods Pondfest and can be purchased on their website or at any show featuring The Garcia Project, Capital Zen and North Funktree. Tickets are only $70 including over 20 bands on 2 stages with 2 nights of car camping. Bring a non-perishable good and receive $5 off ticket price if you buy tickets Day of Show. Be sure to follow on Facebook and Twitter for more to come from out “Road to Backwoods” series.
Lucid performing “Crazy Fucked Up World” from Backwoods Pondfest 2013
The Prince of Darkness himself, Ozzy Osbourne has had a very colorful career with his years in Black Sabbath, as well as a solo career that saw him sell over 50 million albums and earn a Grammy award. On October 7, Memoirs Of A Madman CD/DVD will be unleashed to the masses including a CD of radio singles spanning Ozzy’s career.
The track listing will include the following;
01. Crazy Train 02. Mr. Crowley 03. Flying High Again 04. Over The Mountain 05. Bark At The Moon 06. The Ultimate Sin 07. Miracle Man 08. No More Tears (edit) 09. Mama, I’m Coming Home 10. Road To Nowhere 11. Perry Mason 12. I Just Want You 13. Gets Me Through 14. Dreamer 15. I Don’t Wanna Stop 16. Life Won’t Wait 17. Let Me Hear You Scream
The DVD set is a real treat – It includes music videos showcasing Ozzy’s entire solo career, including never before seen video footage, behind the scenes footage, and never before released concert footage. It also features a concert in Rochester with Randy Rhoads on guitar that was filmed in 1981.
Most footage comes from out of print VHS tapes, and other rare material.
The DVD includes:
DVD 1
The Music Videos
* Bark At The Moon * So Tired * The Ultimate Sin * Lightning Strikes * Crazy Train * Miracle Man * Crazy Babies * Breaking All The Rules * No More Tears * Mama, I’m Coming Home * Mr. Tinkertrain * Time After Time * Road To Nowhere * I Don’t Want To Change The World (Live) * Changes * Perry Mason * I Just Want You * See You On The Other Side * Back On Earth * Gets Me Through * Dreamer * In My Life * I Don’t Wanna Stop * Let Me Hear You Scream * Life Won’t Wait * Let It Die
Bonus
* Mama, I’m Coming Home (alternate version) * The Making of Let Me Hear You Scream * The Making of Life Won’t Wait
DVD 2
Rochester, NY 1981
* I Don’t Know * Suicide Solution * Mr. Crowley * Crazy Train
Ozzy’s Bunker
Albuquerque, NM 1982
* Over The Mountain
MTV 1982 New York, NY 1982
* Fairies Wear Boots (clip)
Ozzy’s Bunker
Entertainment USA 1984 Kansas City, MO 1986 (Jake E Lee, Phil Soussan, Randy Castillo)
* Bark At The Moon * Never Know Why
Ozzy’s Bunker
* Killer Of Giants * Thank God For The Bomb * Secret Loser
Ozzy’s Bunker
Philadelphia, PA 1989 (Zakk Wylde, Geezer Butler, Randy Castillo)
* Bloodbath In Paradise * Tattooed Dancer * Miracle Man
MTV 1989 Marquee, UK 1991 (Zakk Wylde, Mike Inez, Randy Castillo)
* Bark At The Moon (clip)
Studio 1992
San Diego, CA 1992 (Zakk Wylde, Mike Inez, Randy Castillo)
* I Don’t Want To Change The World * Road To Nowhere
Japan 1992
* Ozzy’s Bunker * No More Tears
Studio 1992
* Desire
MTV 1992
* Mama, I’m Coming Home
Studio 1992
* “Ozzmosis” Recording Session 1995
Ozzfest 1996 (Joe Holmes, Robert Trujillo, Mike Bordin)
* Perry Mason
Fame & Fortune
Tokyo, Japan 2001 (Zakk Wylde, Robert Trujillo, Mike Bordin)
* Gets Me Through
Fame & Fortune
Ozzfest 2007 (Zakk Wylde, Blasko, Mike Bordin)
* Not Going Away
“Black Rain” Photo Shoot
Las Vegas, NV 2007 (Zakk Wylde, Blasko, Mike Bordin, Adam Wakeman)
* I Don’t Wanna Stop
“Scream” Recording Session 2010
London, England 2010 (Gus G, Blasko, Tommy Clufetos, Adam Wakeman)
* Let Me Hear You Scream
Bonus
Philadelphia, PA 1989 (Zakk Wylde, Geezer Butler, Randy Castillo)
* Flying High Again
Tokyo, Japan 2001 (Zakk Wylde, Robert Trujillo, Mike Bordin)
* Believer
Memorirs Of A Madman will also be released on a two-LP set and two-LP picture disc set configuration.
Currently Ozzy Osbourne just wrapped up a tour with Black Sabbath, and is expected to return to his solo career before Black Sabbath hits the road again.
Music filled the air again at Willow Creek Winery this past weekend; two days filled with music to keep everyone happy. One of the greatest things about Willow Creek is that you get the festival experience in a smaller setting. If you combine the great location with Buffalive Productions, you’re getting the entire experience at a great value with Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad and Funktional Flow.
Buffalive, who just recently was founded, is doing things in their first year that many promotors take years to accomplish, putting great music out there for the fan to truly enjoy. Friday and Saturday was no different with the crowd being treated to a stellar show by Badfish-A Tribute To Sublime, bringing everyone the music of Sublime that they love, but most were not fortunate to see since the bands demise in the 90’s.Saturday brought music with reggae influence and started in the afternoon, going until well after midnight.
Preach Freedom, Mosaic Foundation, Tropidelic and The B-Side Dubs all playing early on before the main event. Funktional Flow and Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad played 2 sets each flip-flopping after each set. Funktional Flow started it off with the side stage and GPGDS took over on the main stage. Flow has been playing the winery all summer and seemed to have quite the following since Buffalove Music Festival. Giant Panda was great and as the night wore on with darkness casting overhead and their lighting show, all made for a terrific night of music. Chad from Mosaic Foundation joined them on stage to boost the great reggae infused jam to the next level.
Speaking with Chad as he came off stage he was happy as can be and he even said how it was a dream to be able to be on stage with Giant Panda, he had been huge fans of them since the beginning. Saturday night capped off another great weekend at Willow Creek and with one more event to go who knows what Buffalive has in for store for next summer, it will be tough to beat their inaugural season. But First, up next will be The Grapeful Getdown on Aug 9, featuring a bunch of the area’s top Grateful Dead Tribute Bands with a day full of Dead songs.
You can get more information about The Grapeful Getdown here and stay tuned for our preview of the upcoming show.
When Blake Shelton isn’t working on America’s next big thing with The Voice he is doing his day job, being a large part of the country music scene. Shelton has been nominated five times for a Grammy and since his debut album in 2001 he has been on top of the charts.
Neal McCoy has seven Top 10 hits. And, in contrast to his more than 20 years of touring under his belt, Dan + Shay will be featured as the up and comers to see. The Band Perry have been putting out some solid Top 10 titles since 2005.
Make your plans on heading out to Darien Lake on Saturday for some great music and great times. Tickets can be purchased through Live Nation.
Clifton Park, N.Y. will be the last stop on Killswitch Engage’s 3-date tour titled “Monster’s Mosh.” The tour will no doubt, rock out, Upstate New York this Fall.
Jesse and the rest of the boys from Killswitch return to Tri-State area for the first time in almost two years. The band is currently on their sixth studio album “Disarm the Descent” which was released in April of 2013.
Support for Halloween tour will be heavy metal rockers All That Remains. ATR is currently working on their seventh studio album. They will also play Krockathon for the second year in a row this year in Syracuse, N.Y.
The tour will also see new comers Death Ray Vision. The band is fronted by Shadows Fall singer Brian Fair. They are set to release their debut 12 song album this September.
Upstarts, City Of Homes will seize this great opportunity and open the tour. Interestingly all four band’s origins, are from the state of Massachusetts.
The Tour will kick off on Thursday October 30 at the The Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ. Doors and showtime is 6:30 pm. This is an all ages event. 21 and over to drink. Advanced tickets are $27.50 and $30.00 day of show. Tickets can be purchased through AXS. Tickets to Starland Ballroom events are also available through Jack’s Music Shoppe and via phone at 1-888-9-AXS-TIX (1-888-929-7849).
The hometown tour will come to Worcester, MA on Halloween night Friday October 31 at The Palladium. Doors and showtime is 6:30 pm. This is an all ages event. 21 and over to drink. Advanced tickets are $27.50 and $30.00 day of show. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketfly.com or call 1-877-987-6487.
The tour will wrap up on Saturday night November 1 in Clifton Park, N.Y. at Upstate Concert Hall. Doors open at 6:30pm and show time is 7:30pm. 16 years and up with ID or parent/legal guardian. 21 and over to drink. Tickets are on sale at the club box office (518-371-0012), all Ticketmaster outlets and also at The Northern Lights Smoke Shop.
With a band name derived from the Sumerian language, you know you are in for a treat before you even hear them. Erimha, or ‘army’ or ‘legion’ in Sumerian culture, has set a course to bring their haunting, melodic metal to the world. Starting from humble beginnings in Montreal in 2010, they quickly coalesced into a powerful sound and wrote and recorded their first full length, “Irkalla” by the end of that year. By 2013, their hard work and dedication put them in the sights of Victory Records, and they released their debut Reign Through Immortality in July 2013. In 2014, they were granted the opening slot on the Rockstar Energy Drink Mayhem Festival, among some of the best metal bands touring today. Jim and I were lucky enough to sit down with Kthien, the rhythm guitarist, when they came to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center with the festival. Still wearing the remnants of corpse paint from their set earlier, he had a lot to say on what it means to be a hard-working, up and coming band.
Erimha’s Kthien and ‘s Jeff Ayers back stage at Rockstar Energy Drink’s Mayhem Festival. Photo by Jim ‘JT’ Gilbert
Jim Gilbert: So you guys were on first today at the festival, how did that feel?
Kthien: Good! I mean, we understand our position in the lineup. It does suck sometimes, to have fans say they were stuck in line, [trying] to catch our set, but we always have a good crowd everyday. We just go out there, and do what we would do if there was five hundred people or if there was only five.
JG: You guys are the only black metal band on the festival. How is the vibe between bands? A lot of bands must be fans of black metal, right?
Kthien: Yeah, yeah. It’s a little weird, we have gotten attention from a couple of bands, being the openers on this fest. I think even fans too, people who have never seen this kind of music, they are coming up to us and saying, ‘Listen, you have opened up a whole different style to us that we can actually appreciate from here on in. Because, [black metal] still stays in the underground, and I’m surprised still to this day that, and maybe it’s because our name isn’t out there enough yet, but I’m surprised that we haven’t been hated on by the whole black metal community. We don’t really consider ourselves to be black metal.
Jeff Ayers: What do you consider yourself then?
Kthien: Just extreme metal. I mean we just stick it to that. We do have black metal influences, we have death metal influences…
JG: Who are some of your black metal influences?
Kthien: I would say it’s mostly a lot of the other guys in the band. There is a lot of Dissection, Dimmu Borgir, Watain, older Behemoth, and it could go all the way down to At The Gates. We are all different guys from different kinds of music. I am a lot more Led Zeppelin, old rock and roll, so I bring that touch a little more rock to the band. As much as we hate labels, we understand that we have to put one on the band. But in the future, it is never going to stop us from doing anything [in music].
JG: I get disgusted by genres because there are so many of them.
Kthien: Yea I agree. Someone asked us early on when we got on this tour what our take was on the lineup. I said that what I like about this festival is that it is all about metal. Who cares what style you play. All the bands talk behind stage, and no one cares if you play a bit more one way or the other, it’s all for the same reason. I think it’s cool to have a festival like this.
JG: I think that there is some much talent in black metal, and how musically gifted your style of music can be. People are not as aware of that, I believe.
Kthien: Thank you. Death metal is the sound and the aggressive part. What we consider a lot of what black metal is, you know in this band, is the ambience, and the lifestyle. I think that is where we bring in the black metal part to Erimha. Just how we live our everyday lives. How you decide to see things, how you decide to spend your time. None of us at home have TV’s, none of us really use social media, other than band related.
JG: Let’s talk about the metal scene in Montreal.
Kthien: Sure. I mean it’s really good. What’s weird is that we were lucky enough to want to start a band, get into a van and get out of there. As much as I think it’s scene is one of the best in Canada, and I would even put it up against a whole big part of North America as well, but at the same time, when you are an underground band and you are trying to play shows, and there is five underground shows in some very decent venues, you have to choose which gig you want to go to. You still end up playing to decent crowds, but when there are so many shows happening almost every night, you have to figure out a way to stand out. We had an issue in the beginning trying to land shows in Montreal. We are actually from fifty minutes south of the city, in Valleyfield, which is a small island off of Montreal. So we told ourselves, let’s just get in the van and get out and play shows. So we started playing shows in Ontario. We were accepted very well there and it was probably where we landed our first major shows. From there, we just decided, lets stay out of Montreal as much as we can and keep on the road and keep playing.
Erimha, Montreal Extreme Metal band, photo provided.
JA: Being in a big festival like this, big bands, corporate sponsors, publicists, how has that felt? Do they give the opening band a fair shake?
Kthien: What surprised me the most, coming into this festival, was that within the first day, I didn’t feel any different from say Cannibal Corpse, or anyone else. The whole team has been treating us so great. You know, playing a festival like this, you are asking yourself, ‘Will I be waiting in line, and some guy in Korn or whatever is gonna push you behind the line.’ But no, everyone has been treated the exact same way, and we are going to work so hard to get back onto this festival in the future.
JA: I am always interested in instrumentation, and I noticed when you started that you were a double guitar band with no bass. Was that a decision made from the get go, or one made out of circumstance?
Kthien: It really was just that way when we started. We had issues with bass players, and we decided to go out and play the first shows no matter what. Now, we have been a full lineup for over a year. We also have the guitarist who sessions with Vital Remains, Aaron Homma on this tour with us and we see what the future holds. For now, all the compositions we try to stick to the main guys no matter what. I’m guessing that might be an issue for, I don’t know how long, because we are extremely strict on what we want in this band. All of the main guys, we do not do anything else other than this. We are not living like gods or anything, and that was something we decided early on. Erimha and nothing else. It’s hard to find other guys who want to make that sacrifice.
JG: If this is the only thing you guys are all doing, how many days a year are you playing?
Kthien: We should have another tour lined up after this one, for October/November, and that will have us hit the 100-120 mark. That gives you a good idea on how we are living our lives outside of playing shows. Right now we are seven dudes touring in a van, no a/c. You sleep where you can. Usually we try to show up to venues early and I try to sleep either on top of the van or outside on a mattress on the sidewalk. Which has actually given us a good reputation with other bands. You have to start somewhere. To us, deciding to live our lives a certain way off the road, makes it easier to live on the road. You are doing a hundred percent of what you want to do.
JA: It’s definitely tough to be a touring band.
Kthien: Yea, but it’s awesome, too. It’s crazy. We joke around with some of the other bands, because some of them are complaining about problems with their tour buses or stuff like that, and then when you start talking about how you are touring and they are like ‘Holy Shit! You guys are doing this?” We don’t see it as anything, it’s just part of the whole process. The smartest decision to make in a band, it to get out there and tour in a van.
JA: You said you have seven with you right now. Are you touring with a roadie?
Kthien: Yea we have a merch guy. We call him Ace Boogie. He is the kind of guy you want on your team. I think they have it even more rough than us, because they are sacrificing just as much as us, but they don’t get to shake all the hands and meet the crowds. They are the guys in the corner actually taking a lot of weight off our shoulders, and I have a ton of respect for that. We had a tour manager too, but he had to leave us because he was under contract for some big productions in Quebec. But he decided to help us out for the first run of this tour. He helped take care of everything and making sure we headed out to merch after we played. Now we are just continuing to do what we do, working as a small team, and that’s our job.
JA: What do you have planned for after Mayhem?
Kthien: We are finalizing a tour for October through November, with two major headliners with full US/North American dates. We are really pumped to be on that because one of the bands have not played in some time.
JG: So could we speculate on who that might be?
Kthien: Even if you did, I couldn’t say who it is. But we are really pumped, really excited for this. We are trying to be out on the road as much as we can, and we have an awesome label who works their ass off. Seems like the whole ‘agent’ part of booking, I don’t know what you have to prove to these guys to make sure you are on the road, but that is what we are trying to do everyday. Whoever picks us up eventually will be a happy guy, and we will hopefully stay with them a long time.
JA: How is it being on Victory Records?
Kthien: One thing I like about this label is they have a lot of balls. You need to understand the industry is changing, you need to be on the road to make your name, and I think they realize that we have a certain market, and we need to step into this extreme market which has been exploding the last few years. All I have to say about the management at Victory is good stuff. When you sit down and talk to the team and see how many hours they put in, this is why we are with them. They are ready to put in as many hours as we are. If you go out and look at the promotion that is being done [on our behalf] the work speaks for itself.
JA: Again, thank you for taking the time to talk to us.
Kthien: Honestly, we appreciate you guys talking to us. I mean, I hold a lot back in interviews sometimes. But one thing I always say is that if in twenty years I am still sitting around being as friendly as we have been, then I believe I made it in music. I mean, we are talking to the guys from Cannibal Corpse, and they are giving us high fives back stage, and I have a lot of respect for that. Kids that are starting out, just picking up guitars or whatnot, look at us. We are just a few guys from a small area in Quebec and in four years here we are. Nothing is impossible, so keep it up.
JA: You do have the best outlook on this business: hard work.
Kthien: There are a lot of sacrifices, man. People that work 9 to 5 ‘s, and do four hours of traffic a day are sacrificing too. But we are lucky enough to do something that we have dreamt about.
Less than a week until Backwoods Pondfest ignites Upstate, NY with two days and nights of music filled fun. Backwoods offers plenty of live music, car camping, art and much more on August 8-9th, in the beautiful Adirondack North Country. After 8 years, Backwoods knows how to book a kick ass lineup with acts like Chali 2na and House of Vibe, Lucid, Spiritual Rez, Alan Evans Playonbrother, Cabinet, and many more.
Our “Road to Backwoods” series continues with a look at Big Mean Sound Machine from Ithaca, NY. The band is comprised of over a dozen musicians that create a larger than life genre fusing symphony for the mind and body. Their live performances are a high energy afro-funk fest, as their studio work is crisp with tight experimental sonic grooves. Big Mean Sound Machine will be performing this Saturday August 2nd at Seed Stock which takes place at Reeds Seeds in Cortland, NY. The rain or shine all-day event is $20 for 15 bands with music starting at 10:45am and Big Mean Sound Machine at 7:30pm on the Front Stage. Their latest album, Contraband is available for free stream on Facebook or as a digital download for $7, cd for $10 and even vinyl for $20. Get familiar with the fierce and funky machine when they hit the main stage Friday at 5 at Backwoods Pondfest.
Tickets are still available for Backwoods Pondfest and can be purchased on their website here or at any show featuring Lucid, The Garcia Project, Capital Zen and North Funktree. Tickets are only $70 including over 20 bands on 2 stages with 2 nights of car camping. Bring a non-perishible good and receive $5 off ticket price if you buy tickets Day of Show. Be sure to follow on Facebook and Twitter for more to come from out “Road to Backwoods” series.
When pulling up to the train depot in quaint Milford, NY, you may be thinking to yourself, “Where am I? Have a stepped back in time?” It is hard to believe that a three-hour rockin’ party with Moon Boot Lover is about to take place on board the Cooperstown Blues Express Train.
Led by a locomotive built in the 1940s, on tracks that were put in place in the 1860s and ran between Cooperstown and Colliersville, the Blues Express Train is truly one of the most unusual concert experiences in our state. Having been dubbed “the area’s only rolling nightclub,” this train has been hosting concerts every Saturday night from mid-May through late September since 1997.
Having been around since the ‘90s, formerly a frequent visitor to old school venues in Oneonta like Diana’s, Peter Prince and Moon Boot Lover (MBL) have garnered a huge local and very loyal following over the years. Whenever they come to town to play on the Train, which they tend to do at least once a season, you definitely want to book ahead for these rides, as they tend to fill up quick. As a matter of fact, one of their biggest fans mentioned that he is in the military, and he actually schedules his leaves around Moon Boot Lover’s calendar.
While Moon Boot Lover’s music is difficult to categorize, there are definitely elements of blues, jazz, rock, and general “spacey-ness” involved. Channeling the energy of Jimi Hendrix and Santana at different points throughout the night, there was a constant out-of-orbit vibe going on all through the band’s set, which included the fitting choice of “I Miss the Train”. Peter Prince’s soulful voice shined on each and every song – at least those that had lyrics; and kept everyone grounded, with all the otherworldly tones coming from the instruments backing him up, including his very own frenzied guitar playing on his trademark Flying V guitar.
At one point, Prince jokingly said that the train was trying to take their drum set apart, and explained that this is part of the reason MBL goes through so many drummers, but current drummer Lee James Falco seemed more than capable of holding the rhythm together, which is quite the feat on a slow-moving train rolling along on rickety old tracks. At only 19-years-old, Falco is already sitting in with many bands, so don’t be surprised if you see him play in your area; he is definitely full of talent and is only going up from here. Bassist Ben Carle provided steady yet creative rhythms and notes, on top of well-balanced back-up vocals, throughout the evening’s experience. Rich Lemire, a friend of the band, joined in for this performance with some added percussions.
Once the sun went down, lighting designer Aaron Hunt provided a veritable psychedelic experience aboard the train, effectively utilizing the extremely limited amount of solid wall or ceiling space to somehow pin up the lights underneath translucent sheets, adding even more of an outer space element to the occasion. The crowd seemed to appreciate the trippy lighting, letting it take their already dancing feet to a whole other level, boogying down to “Natural Kind of Lover” until the last-minute, before pulling in to in the Milford Station.
It is strongly recommended, for those of you who have never been on the Cooperstown Blues Express Train, to hop aboard one of these Saturday nights before the summer is through. Where else can you ride on a historic railroad through beautiful countryside – and baseball fields – listening to funky music on an open air car, getting to wave at and taunt the people who have to wait at the railroad crossings sitting in their cars, while you are kicking back, enjoying a beverage and a snack, and cruising along listening to some great tunes.
Guitarists Scott Carstairs and Brian James play as if they really wanted to find out what it would sound like if Dream Theater guitarist John Petrucci made a death metal record. But to pigeonhole Fallujah as death metal feels wrong. They combine the best of multiple genres. From synth-laden atmospheres to choppy machine gun riffs to beautiful neoclassical guitar lines, Fallujah doesn’t struggle with such a juggling act. They’re a band with a very clear idea of who they are and what they want to do. The Flesh Prevails was written with purpose, each song gives way to the one following it but also builds off the one before. If you have the time, this album is meant to be listened to from start to finish.
The track listing will include the following;
Having been around since the ‘90s, formerly a frequent visitor to old school venues in Oneonta like Diana’s, 
At one point, Prince jokingly said that the train was trying to take their drum set apart, and explained that this is part of the reason MBL goes through so many drummers, but current drummer Lee James Falco seemed more than capable of holding the rhythm together, which is quite the feat on a slow-moving train rolling along on rickety old tracks. At only 19-years-old, Falco is already sitting in with many bands, so don’t be surprised if you see him play in your area; he is definitely full of talent and is only going up from here. Bassist Ben Carle provided steady yet creative rhythms and notes, on top of well-balanced back-up vocals, throughout the evening’s experience. Rich Lemire, a friend of the band, joined in for this performance with some added percussions.
It is strongly recommended, for those of you who have never been on the Cooperstown Blues Express Train, to hop aboard one of these Saturday nights before the summer is through. Where else can you ride on a historic railroad through beautiful countryside – and baseball fields – listening to funky music on an open air car, getting to wave at and taunt the people who have to wait at the railroad crossings sitting in their cars, while you are kicking back, enjoying a beverage and a snack, and cruising along listening to some great tunes.