NYS Music 20​17

Author: Ralph Renna

  • Artist Profile: Within the Fire

    Author Charles Bukowski focused his writing on the plight of ordinary people, drudging through work, alcohol and relationships.  In the end, he wrote, “What matters most is how well you walk through the fire.”

    Some may think Bukowski is referring to the plight of getting through life’s drama. Some may live on the dark side, and see it as a warning to not get burned by the flames. But, what happens when you step Within the Fire?  It opens doors to a whole new world.  Pushing  the envelope, testing the boundaries and expanding the horizons.

    within the fireThe local metal band Within the Fire pushes that envelope from the inside, leaving the past behind and perfecting years of musical journey into a volcano of sound.

    The band was started by guitarist, RJ Pipino (former Cutthroat guitarist) in 2010.

    “He is a big fan of classic metal from the ‘80s,” said bassist Joe Paciolla, of Pipino, “ranging from Dokken to Exodus. [And, he] was inspired to start a band with his younger brother, Kyle.”   

    Already an impressive resume of musicians, the brothers wrote several songs and recruited help from friend, drummer Tim Parent (Section 8). When ready They reached out to vocalist, Scott Featherstone (Attica Enertia), who ended up coming into the studio on the day when vocals for this project were scheduled to be recorded with another singer.

    Paciolla adds “The session turned out better than everyone expected and Scott ended up joining the band full time.  Our influences range all over the rock spectrum, but a few that were a big influence to the style of Within The Fire are Dokken, Metallica and Exodus.” The band has released a full length cd Still Burning and  was recorded at The Recording Company in Esperance, in the summer-fall of 2015. It was completed in the spring of 2016.

    “Tim Lynch is an absolute professional and we were all very happy with his dedication and work on this album,” said Paciolla. “RJ was really involved in making sure the songs sounded exactly like he envisioned them and was at the studio  every minute of the recording and the mixing.”

    This article was originally published by The Spot 518. is property of Spotlight Newspapers in Albany, N.Y., and appears as a special to NYS Music. TheSpot518 and NYS Music work in partnership to provide readers with in-depth coverage on the local music scene in the Capital District and New York state, respectively. For more, visit TheSpot518.com.

  • Band Profile: The Further Unsound

    Almost 40 years ago, the world was inspired by the lyric “Break on through to the other side” and the future of music was about to explode. A generation was about to change, they were ready to fight the establishment and now they had the soundtrack to do so. It was a time when music reflected more art, improvisation, and poetry. Forty years later that same musical work ethic is being applied in upstate New York.

    further unsoundExperimental three-piece project Further Unsound has made its way at warp speed, gaining recognition locally and performing live all over the East Coast.

    “I mean, this is how my brain is wired man,” said guitarist and vocalist Matt Malone. “We all have our own way to interpret our feelings to the world and playing live happens to be how I like to do it.”

    Which is exactly how this group took it to another level when writing and recording its latest release. Along For The Ride was a culmination of songs written by Malone, Cole Riddering and the band’s founding member, Sean Cranston.

    “I’m a firm believer that playing live is where it counts most,” said Cranston.

    Along For The Ride, was recorded at the The Linda Norris Auditorium in November 2015 and released in 2016.

    Riddering, the band’s bassist, was the last piece in the puzzle. Prior to bringing Riddering into the project, Malone and Cranston sold everything they had, packed the car and headed to the West Coast.

    With no time restraints, the three booked shows and jammed at random open mics and house gigs along the way, with just the desire to just play where ever they could in their travels.

    “The live recording of Along For The Ride was a good experience, it showed me how much of a conduit I was between my bandmates and pushed me to become exactly that,” said Riddering. “The great thing about writing new music is that we have become a band in the last year and a half, we understand what we’re trying to do with our individual styles and are understanding how to put our talents together. The last album was awesome but I’m excited to be a part of the entire process this time around.”

    The Further Unsound from CRUMBS Cafe on Vimeo.

    Non-stop hard work has brought The Further Unsound into territory none of the bandmembers expected. Since the album’s release, The Further Unsound has played live with Creed Bratton (of The Office), the Launch Music Conference in Lancaster, Penn., the Willimantic Connecticut Street Festival and the recent Drink Albany Fest.

    “Touring the world would be ideal for the future,” said Cranston. “We have started writing our next batch of tunes and, from what we’ve started, I’ve got a feeling that our next effort will be more unique than its two predecessors.”

    This article was originally published by The Spot 518. is property of Spotlight Newspapers in Albany, N.Y., and appears as a special to NYS Music. TheSpot518 and NYS Music work in partnership to provide readers with in-depth coverage on the local music scene in the Capital District and New York state, respectively. For more, visit TheSpot518.com.

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