Status: Single
City: Atlanta
State: Georgia
Country: US
Signup Date: 6/8/2005
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Wednesday, November 04, 2009
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Pathfinder Metalfest at the Local
I
showed up for the second day of this great Metalfest. I was unable to
make day one, but I surveyed some of my friends who saw day one show
and they said Eternal Hour played a tight set and that Zephaniah played
with insane energy and speed that made me regret missing day one.
Day two
featured VOR, A Lower Deep, Halcyon Way, Twisted Tower Dire and Aska. I
have seen VOR a couple of times and for this set they came out played
much heavier. They debut a new song “Rescue Me” that had the whole
crowd responding to the catchy chorus and great beat. VOR is building up a great fan base at a rapid pace.
Next up was A Lower Deep. Lead by Billy Mullican’s haunting vocal, they played their way through a
dark progressive set of songs that brought memories of an early
Nevermore sound. Next up was Halcyon Way and the debut of their new
lead singer Steve Braun.
Having seen them once before at the Hard Rock Café, I could
not wait to see them again. I enjoyed them so much I purchased the cd
after first show and it’s been in my CD changer
ever since. After that show Halcyon Way replaced Singer Sean Shields
with Steve Braun and I had to wonder if switch would affect the sound
of the band.
The band came out and started with the opening of “A
Manifesto For Domination” and new vocalist Steve Braun came out and
belted out the opening lyrics and all worries about Mr. Braun’s
delivery went away. He commanded the stage with full on swagger and
his vocals gave the songs a harder brooding edge with great range.
Zane and Jon highlighted every song with
their great chemistry of trading leads. They tore it up on the song
“Deliver the Suffering”. It reminds me of one of my favorites bands
Armored Saints Symbol of Salvation era, only on steroids with a higher
range of vocals.
No whiny pseudo glam vocals was heard from me nor was I
worrying about what they were wearing because I listen with my ears not
my eyes.They tore through a blistering hot energetic set that left the crowd going hell yeah!!
Twisted Tower Dire was up next.
Twisted came out and lit up the stage with their NWBHM
sound. The classic metal sound, brilliant hooks and big chorus anthems
made the crowd pump their fist in the air. The galloping beat and power
riffs along with Jonny Anue Melodic vocals brought me back to glory of
my power metals days when I listened to Omen, Attacker and Virgin Steel.
Unfortunately I had to leave before Aska came on but had friends tell me they ripped.
I would say that Halycon Way stole the night with the home town crowd feeding off the energy of their incendiary set.
A big thank you goes out to Greg (Hoyt) Parris for putting the great festival together.
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Thursday, October 29, 2009
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Pathfinder Productions Metalfest - Images and words by Mark Gromen
A band of demons joined in and it sounded something like this. The initial Pathfinder Metalfest - held October 23rd-25th at the Sidelines Sports Grille and Concert Venue in Marietta, GA - provided an opportunity to check out some of the regional acts, capped off by headlining shows from ASKA and TWISTED TOWER DIRE. On the surface, America’s deep South doesn’t seem like fertile ground for heavy metal. Asked what’s going on, an Alabama native/fellow veteran of global metalfests offers “Honestly, not much.” Apart from Texas and New Orleans, southern culture hasn’t produced much internationally recognizable metal and don’t mention Florida. With all the Northern transplants/retirees, even southerners don’t consider it part of the South.
With America’s premier festival (ProgPower USA) housed for almost a decade in nearby Atlanta, Marietta based Pathfinder Productions is striving to breath life into a fledgling scene, providing a decent platform from which to perform, something more populous media centers have been unable or unwilling to consider: don’t charge the bands to play, give them good light/sound systems, promote the show and nurture all the way. Maybe it has something to do with the vaunted Southern hospitality. Helping baby bands as well as more established out-of-state artists, Hoyt Parris has partnered with other small events (Ohio’s Warriors Of Metal and Kansas City Powerfest chief among them) to rotate line-ups and present cross-promotional opportunities (often at personal financial loss, but with heartfelt support of the music). To give you an idea of what Hoyt is up against, some pseudo rockers playing billiards were listening to Evanescence, while original metal was pumping out of the room next door. When was the last time Evanescence had any relevance? Did I mention HALLOWS EVE cancelled early on and RAVAGE (Friday’s scheduled headliner) pulled out on less than 24 hours notice. Lame! Regardless, he hopes to spin Metalfest into a semi-annual date (May 1st, Cage headline the next show).
Friday began with ALAS, TYRANNY a band comprised of kids too young to legally be in a bar. It was also their first gig, ever! That said, they attempted adventurous music: a dual vocalist, symphonic-power-death hybrid complete with pre-recorded tapes. Shoot big, not some simplistic glam/pop/metalcore. Think EPICA or SKYFIRE. Gruff male voice with the occasional female accompaniment, it’s good to see/hear youngsters covering the likes of BLIND GUARDIAN (‘Valhalla’, even if Hansi still sings higher) rather than the usual old-school choices. Singer/guitarist was chuffed, no, nearly orgasmic over the lyrics (thought of his band actually playing BG). In addition to originals like ‘Servants Of Liberty’, ‘Prometheus’ and an Iced Earth inspired instrumental. Since people don’t really know your music anyway, it’s a good strategy to showcase your chops, while the lead singer takes a piss, gets a drink or tries to pick up a date.
Making the trip from Nashville, OBLIVION MYTH were a seasoned bunch, with higher levels of professional and intensity (lots of movement onstage), made all the greater by comparison to the youthful exuberance of their predecessors. Currently minus a second guitarist, each member of the foursome vied for the spotlight/solo space at the front of the stage, usurped by bald, black singer Sterling Whitmill, who often sang atop a riser. Guitarist Keith Smith could moonlight in a METALLICA tribute band, the spitting image of a vintage, stringy haired James Hetfield. The band offered a sound rooted in traditional metal, yet straddling the line with thrash. During the –song set they aired ‘Into The Shadows’, ‘Mystique’ and the concluding ‘War Child’. Renditions of some of those tracks can be viewed on YouTube (same with most of these acts).
ETERNAL HOUR sport a short-haired singer (Kevin Gibson) who looks like he should be in pads, on the offensive line of some high school Friday Night Lights game, rather than hitting stratospheric highs fronting a metal band. Another young band (teens, really) eager to cover Iced Earth (‘I Died For You’, probably the only song not suited for his range) and Iron Maiden (the closing ‘Aces High’) amongst a like-minded set of originals. Good stuff.
With RAVAGE bagging out, headlining duties fell to the crazy antics and mantic guitar wizardry of ZEPHANIAH. This Fort Wayne, IN outfit really need to be experienced live to appreciate (and this is the second time I’ve seen them). Sort of DRAGONFORCE-ish (I’m sure they’re tired of that comparison), but given their ages, the speed at which they play and the frenetic stage movements (overhand guitar tapping, windmilling hair, interlocking bodies as they play each others fretboard, sometimes in a simultaneous three-handed guitar circle jerk!) it’s the only relevant comparison, although acts like DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN and CEPHALIC CARNAGE do a similar, albeit more spasmodic show. Add to this a wicked comedic streak and fun is sure to ensue. Sadly, the musicianship inherent in the likes of ‘Antietam’ might be lost amongst the shenanigans, kids not realizing the talent, just relishing the speed. ‘Blackbeard’s Revenge’, ‘Flame Of The Dragon’ get an airing before ‘Barbarian’s Tale’, where they call everyone up from the crowd, to join them onstage (“Even if you have H1N1.”) Their brand of fun-loving insanity is nearly as contagious.
Missed part of VOR’s (VOID OF REASON) Saturday opening set, but got there in time to see a prog quartet, the central figure being the vocalist tethered to his keyboards, center stage. They debuted a new track (‘Rescue Me’), after which he ventured beyond the Roland fortress to sing, occasionally returning to the safety of his electronic sanctuary. At times there were three part harmonies, the drummer being the lone non-participant.
A LOWER DEEP features four shaved heads, the burly 7-string bassist standing apart from his mates with a bushy beard and cowboy hat. Even before ‘Facing The Demon’, I got the distinct impression they might be a religious affiliated outfit, if for no other reason that the singer’s similar appearance to David Draiman, of DISTURBED. Maybe all bald white guys in black “wife beaters” look the same to me, who knows. A small dose of slide guitar was unexpected (even in the South), but as the set wore on, I felt as if trapped in some bizarre sci-fi nightmare where everyone turned into a Piet Sielck (IRON SAVIOR/SAVAGE CIRCUS) look-alike.
Second time for HALCYON WAY (the former trench coat Mafia, complete with motorcycle/aviator goggles at the Nightmare Record event in San Antonio), who are something of a local institution. Having recently changed singers, Steve Braun (of Italy’s ASHENT) hails from Nashville (driving four hours to practice with the band). The blond singer adds more of a whiny, pseudo glam sound (maybe it was all the bandanas, sun glasses and a cover of Steel Dragon’s ‘Stand Up And Shout’), but certainly a more visual presence, between two of the tallest musicians you’re likely to see within one band. All adorned in matching black button downs, with HW logo. Opening with ‘World Domination’, they also added ‘I Fought The World’ and ‘The Lonely Road’ during a set witnessed by the largest number of attendees. When the intro to ‘Powder Burn’ was botched and had to be restarted, it was handled with humor (should have blamed it on the new guy!), much to the crowds approval. The kinetic start to ‘Inversion’ was atypical of most of their material, the drummer making repeated tours around the kit.
Long a fan of Tony Taylor’s voice on the TWISTED TOWER DIRE discs, the third time was really the charm in witnessing Jonny Aune, a vicious frontman (Taylor’s statuesque stance pales in comparison), thanks at least in part to his pre-game ritual, involving demon alcohol. Onstage he’s thrashing, banging, making faces, as the team around him, especially guitarist Scott Waldrop spew out fiery licks and truly powerful metal. Killer stuff and a fun time. In addition to ‘Battle Cry’/‘Guardian Bloodline’ kicking off the set, enjoyed ‘By My Hand’, ‘Snow Leopard’ (even though it’ not that “new” anymore, who about a real “new one” next time?), ‘Final Stand’ and the closing MERCYFUL FATE cover, ‘A Dangerous Meeting’. Over way too quickly, damn! The boys are more active now than they’ve ever been, so if they get close to your town, check ‘em out.
Last to take the stage, but the ones who got me interested in attending in the first place, my Texas buddies, ASKA. Currently prepping for their sixth album (thanks for the pre-listen!), the traditional metallers opened with ‘Angels Of War’ and played almost 90 minutes, pulling out songs like ‘Killashandra’, ‘Leprosy’ (“or as they say in Marietta, muchos gracias”) and ‘Blood Of The Wolf’. Throughout the weekend, most bands had one member of the band step on the riser, towering over the crowd, with Aska, it was singer/guitarist George Call, bassist (and lead throat on ‘Vigilante’) Keith Knight and guitarist Daryl Norton simultaneously! The red lights and smoke machine (omnipresent throughout the weekend) made the stage look like a recreation of Judas Priest’s Unleashed In The East album artwork. Speaking of other bands, don’t really see the need for a Metallica cover, ‘Valkyries’ and the material off Absolute Power stings harder, including ‘Freedom’, Invasion’, ‘Legion’ and ‘Longships’. By night’s end, Call has stripped to the waist, apparently working up a sweat, or was it to tease the ladies?
All in all, a fun weekend, most of the previously unknown bands are worthy of a second listen and look forward to an opportunity to see Zephaniah, Halcyon Way, Twisted Tower Dire and Aska again, as soon as possible.
A photo gallery from both nights can be viewed here.
BW/BK Review
BW/BK Photo Gallery
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Tuesday, October 20, 2009
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....................
10-20-09
For Immediate Release
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Halcyon Way complete drum tracking for new album
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Atlanta’s Halcyon Way has completed tracking the drums for
their new record, due out in Spring 2010 via Nightmare Records. The drums were tracked at Open Sky Studios in
Atlanta, GA with Mike Froedge (DOUBLEDRIVE, BLOODSIMPLE, DIXIE INCORPORATED) at
the helm.
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The follow up release to 2008’s A Manifesto For Domination
will feature new vocalist Steve Braun, known for his work with Italian
progressive-metallers ASHENT, who have released two records via Lion Music, as
well as a special guest appearance by Pamela Moore of QUEENSRYCHE fame. Lasse Lammert, best known for his work
producing the last several ALESTORM releases, will be producing the new album
along with guitarist Jon Bodan.
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“The drums on the new album far more punishing than before,
with lots of double bass and technical syncopated ideas. This new record is going to be absolutely
insane,” said Ernie Topran, drummer for HALCYON WAY.
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“We’re going to have Lasse over to Atlanta from Germany in
January, and we’re going to complete the tracking then. We’ve got 15 songs tracked, and it’s enough
material for 2 full CDs if we choose to do that. We’re going to see how the material shakes
out when it’s all complete, and decide what to do then. But overall, the new songs are catchier,
heavier, and more ambitious than Manifesto.
The riffs and guitar playing are more technical and brutal, but somehow
at the same time, more memorable. The
vocal harmonies are bigger and catchier.
We’re using a string section, we have Pamela doing some duets with
Steve, we’ve got a choir on here, we brought in some ethnic percussion, it
really is going to be awesome. We’re
certain that our fanbase is going to love the new album, and we are certain it
will take us to a higher level as well, “ stated Jon Bodan, guitarist for the
band.
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The band is scheduled to play at Pathfinder Metalfest on
October 24, 2009 with ASKA, TWISTED TOWER DIRE, and many other acts. Halcyon Way has appeared at Rocklahoma on
three occasions, Nightmare Metal Festival II, and at ProgPower USA twice, as
well as having shared the stage with HELLOWEEN, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, KAMELOT,
TO/DIE/FOR, SYMPHONY X, DORO PESCH, and many others.
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Halcyon Way released their debut record, “A Manifesto For
Domination” on Nightmare Records on November 11, 2008 to rave critical
reviews. The album was produced by
guitarist Jon Bodan with assistance from James Murphy (TESTAMENT, DEATH,
OBITUARY), and was mixed by Lasse Lammert (ALESTORM). It also featured guest appearances from Jonah
Weingarten (PYRAMAZE, AVIAN) and Blaze Pearson (THE SOULS UNREST).
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For more information, visit www.halcyonway.com or www.myspace.com/halcyonway. For booking, contact booking (at)
halcyonway.com.
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Monday, October 19, 2009
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Halcyon WayHalcyon Way readies their new release with a new singer, completed session with Pamela Moore from Queensryche fame, and has the upcoming debut of their new singer at the Pathfinder Metalfest Oct 24. But somehow they made time to talk to TST about the future of the band.
TST: Hey, big changes since the last I talk to you. Zane: Yes there have been! But through it all, both good and bad, we have retained a true positive spirit. I feel very positive about our direction, as well as our perception. TST: Halcyon Way and former frontman Sean Shields parted ways. You stated “creative difference” as a reason for the split. Was that the reason behind the split and what is your definition of “creative differences” ?
Jon: This was definitely a big change! Suffice to say that like almost any band lineup change, there’s a story there, but we have decided to keep it in the family, so to speak, and leave it at that. Let’s just say that it was a mutual thing and that both parties are definitely better off. We haven’t missed a beat as a band, and don’t intend to. Zane: Without going into too much detail, out of respect for all of us who were involved, it’s best to just say that when we say creative differences, it’s on par with the “irreconcilable differences” that divorcees use. TST: Introduce and tell me about the new singer. Jon: Well, the new guy is named Steve Braun, and he lives in Nashville, TN. The way the whole thing worked out was very serendipitous . Within 24 hours of Sean’s departure, we had about 10 names of people that wanted the gig, so we knew that we had some choices and that it was a matter of finding someone that we gelled with. One of the guys at Nightmare Records recommended Steve very highly, so we made contact. Long story short, Steve and I spoke, we hit it off and the next weekend Ernie, our manager Mike and I drove up to Nashville to meet him. We did some quick demos on the new material on my laptop, and we had the opportunity to see him in a live setting with the cover band he does for fun. We watched him do a 3 hour set. His pitch was dead on, and his voice didn’t seem to tire by the end of the thing, which was insane because it was your typical smoky bar setting. Since we were getting along great, and the demos were cool, we felt like we had our guy. Steve also sings for an Italian band called Ashent, and he’s going to continue to do that as well. That only takes up a couple weeks a year for him, and he was looking for something closer to home that he could really throw himself into. But Steve’s been around and has a ton of experience live and in the studio, and he’s got a great attitude. So it’s been a total breath of fresh air. Zane: After hearing and seeing him, it was obvious to all of us that Steve was a prime singer due to his resume. Long story short, Steve fit right in musically, as well as personally. Ernie™: Steve is a class act… that is, unless he’s being a complete goofball. That’s what immediately drew us to him. He fits perfectly with us musically and mixes well with our overall ideology. Plus he’s so easy to get along with and at times he out crazies us! And if you know how we roll, you’ll be shocked by that statement. We couldn’t be happier with how things worked out! TST: How did the Pamela Moore session go for the new album? Jon: Absolutely fantastic! The stuff she sang on came out great. She’s a total professional, and just came in here and blew it away. There’s a lot of cool stuff that she did. A couple of songs are duets, and then she did some harmony stuff as well. We’re very excited about getting to work with her on the album, and it was a great time. People are gonna freak when they see and hear what we were able to do. But we’re keeping it a secret until the new album drops next year! TST:You got to hang out with Pam for a couple of days for the session and ProgPower. Any stories you like to share about ProgPower? Jon: ProgPower was pretty normal for the most part. We try to go every year, so it’s always a good time. Pamela did a guest appearance with Primal Fear at that show, so it was cool to see her working on that song on the way down and what not. Basically the way the sessions went was that she flew into Atlanta on a Monday, stayed with us for a few days, and then went on the road with Primal Fear for a few days. The idea was that she’d fly back to Atlanta from Canada the following Monday, and then fly back to Seattle the next day. Problem was, everyone got stricken down with the “ProgPower Plague” so she ended up staying another 3-4 days at our house until she was better. It was pretty surreal, and we all felt like we were in prison, but it was cool to hang out with her a while. Other than sitting in my studio and tracking her on our album, the coolest fanboy moment I had was when we were heading down to the ProgPower pre-party and we had “Breaking The Silence” going on the car stereo, and she broke into her live vocal harmony part that isn’t on the album, but she does it when Queensryche tours that record. That was insane! Operation:Mindcrime is my favorite album ever, so that was really crazy and cool. Zane: Pamela was the sweetest and most gracious person I have had the opportunity to work with. We all had lunch together, and it was like hanging out with a long lost big sister. Kris: It’s awesome to know that people higher up still know what it means being at the level we are right now, and what it means to us to have her with us on this album. Hanging out with her at ProgPower was a treat. You all will just have to wait to see! TST: You just finished the drum Tracks at Open Sky Studio. How did that go? Jon: It went awesome. This album has been a lot of fun to do so far, because I’ve gotten to work with some people that I really respect and admire in the music scene. Pamela is one, obviously, but Mike Froedge was the drummer for DoubleDrive back in the day, and they’re one of my favorite bands ever. So it was cool going in for me for that reason! He’s a monster producer and really got some great work out of Ernie during the sessions. So, we’re extremely happy we went there. Our initial idea was to go in and use the sessions for pre-production, but they ended up sounding so great that they’re the real deal. As of about a week ago, we’re completely finished tracking the drums for the new Halcyon Way album. Ernie™: Working with Mike was extremely ideal. Not only does he have a killer studio with a bunch of toys, he knows how to use them all to get the best sound possible! It’s also great to get a drummer’s perspective while tracking drums. We hit it off quite well and you’ll hear it for yourselves when the album comes out. Suffice it to say, the drums are way more aggressive and in your face, and people will be happy to hear a bunch more double bass. Because really, who doesn’t like more double bass? TST: What kind of sound can we expect for the new release? Jon: As far as the material goes, it will be a LOT heavier than “A Manifesto for Domination.” The riffs and drumming are going to be far more punishing, but the hooks are going to be even more melodic and catchy. The songwriting is much better. The vocal harmonies are going to be as tight as a drum. There’s more guitar solos. Basically, everything we do, we amped up times a hundred! Sonically, we have Lasse Lammert producing the album. He’s best known for doing the last 3 Alestorm CDs, but he also mixed “Manifesto” for us and did a fantastic job. We gave him references for the production like Chimaira, Killswitch Engage, and bands like that. We’re progressive, but primarily we’re a metal band, and we want it to be heavy. I get so tired of hearing prog metal bands with these heavy riffs but their albums are produced like Yes or something. We’re not gonna do that. Zane: HEAVY! Balls to the floor heavy! Having said that, not a single ounce of melody has been sacrificed. We took everything “Manifesto” started and amped it up about 1000%. It is truly going to be our finest work to date. And the work put into this will be the hardest to date as well. Ernie™: People call us “progressive” because no one really knows how to label us. We’re really undefinable I think because we draw from so many different sources. With this new album, you will know us by the word Zane just said… HEAVY! Other words like badass, killer and “my favorite band” are also acceptable. Kris: For me this shows people we have a technical brutal ability with this album that also breaks through with clear and enlightening harmonies. It will be one that should be a measuring stick for bands of this genre to follow. I’ve bled for this album. We all have. I just can’t wait for everyone else to hear what we all have poured our guts out for with the new CD. TST: Tell me about the Pathfinder Metalfest you are playing October 24th. Jon: This is a festival that Hoyt at Pathfinder Promotions has been wanting to put on for a couple of years. It finally came together and became feasible this year. It’s going to be a great show! We’ve played with the guys in ASKA a couple of times – at Nightmare Metalfest and at Rocklahoma this year and they’re great guys and they’re going to throw down at this show. There’s just a lot of good bands at this festival, and we’re glad to have the opportunity to not only play it, but for Steve to make his debut with Halcyon Way at this show. Kris: Come and find out for yourself! (laughs) It’s a big show for us. This is another chapter in the HW book. Bringing Steve on and his first performance will let all our fans know that we are more powerful and dynamic than before. The lineup for the fest is great, especially our buddies in ASKA . They’re great guys and they bring some great fans with them. So, to me personally, those are things I am really looking forward to. Thanks guys, I will see you on October 24 for the Fest. Jon: Shawn, thanks so much for the support bro. Looking forward to seeing ya there! And info of the Pathfinder Metalfest here:
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Friday, October 09, 2009
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Zane & Kris will be appearing on Atlanta's longest running metal radio show, WREKage, on 91.1FM WREK Atlanta. They will be chatting about all things Halcyon Way as well as giving away tickets to Pathfinder Metalfest! Be sure to tune in for your chance to win!
You can also listen online at http://www.wrekage.org
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Friday, October 02, 2009
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Well, that is nice. I have listened several times to this debut album A Manifesto For Domination from Halcyon Way
and just when I’m checking the latest facts before I write this review
I read on their website the following : “The Atlanta, GA based
progressive metal band Halcyon Way has parted ways with singer Sean
Shields due to creative differences. Taking over on vocals for the
Nightmare Records recording artist is Steve Braun, known for his work
with Italian progressive-metallers Ashent, who have released two
records via Lion Music.”
And when I just fell in love with this band their singer has gone.
Well let me tell what I heard on the album. I heard a very good band
who plays progmetal in the veins of Redemption, Power of Omens, Crimson
Glory (Strange and Beautiful) and Evergrey.
After the intro we take off with the title track and this song
guarantees the style of rest of the album. I must admit that I had to
get used to the vocals of Sean Shields, but with the great songs and
musicians on this album, I have played it so much that I liked his
voice, especially in tracks like Blind Eyes to the Sky and The Hidden where the music and his voice looks like the much discussed Crimson Glory album Strange and Beautiful. At the end of The Hidden even comes a part of our own Mennen with the screaming’s ‘Yeah !’. Listen to Mennen’s latest album Planet Black and skip to the beginning of the song Power to the Bone.
So we have here a very good progmetal album from Halcyon Way with guys
who know how to write great songs and how to use their instruments. Now
I was just used to Sean Shields on vocals, he is replaced by Steve
Braun. So I’m very curious about the next album of Halcyon Way. If you
like the bands I mentioned above, you should certainly try out A Manifesto For Domination. You won’t regret it.
Link To The Review
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009
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Halcyon Way
“A Manifesto For Domination”
www.myspace.com/halcyonway
Style (Hard Rock)
Checking
out the CD artwork before hitting play on my boom box I was guessing
this was some progressive rock band pushing their mind altering new age
perception of society, and they personally may be believers of the
vortex because the artwork is thought provoking, but the music is pulse
pounding hard rock written, performed, and recorded with consistency
and direction. In the group’s 5-shot photo, either the guys playing
instruments are all 6’5” monsters or the singer, Sean Shields, is a
short dude. Whatever the case, just like Dio and Udo, small in stature
singers doesn’t normally equate to a smal l voice. Shields has a
low-mid gruff and tough manly voice with good range and character
sounding somewhere between Sully from Godsmack and Lane from Alice In
Chains. What I find impressive is how Shields belts out each lyric
with aggression and growl like he’s trying to drive a rusty nail
through the crowd standing in the back row. Musically the band’s sound
is similar in style to Godsmack and Alice In Chains with enough
originality so they don’t get lost in the shuffle. The songs have well
placed harmonies with excellent pitch, plenty of crunch and grind in
the guitars, and are complimented by a powerful drum beat. Adding to
this is an outstanding production blending all these qualities
masterfully into a congealed powerhouse. My only knock is
I’m not hearing “the hit” song.
Rating 4/5
Link To The Review
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009
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Heralded by
some as the next big thing from the US in the progressive metal genre comes the
debut album from Halcyon Way from Atlanta, Georgia. And they do have the
technical abilities to write and deliver some very interesting and challenging
progressive songs, with lots of power and groove. After a short intro the pace
for the rest of the album is set by the great title-track, and throughout the
entire album they continues on the path chosen, delivering one innovative song
after another.
The guitar
work is powerful and nicely up-front and the leads are precise and melodic, the
keyboards fits right in without being dominating, the rhythm-section lays down
some serious rhymes, but vocalist Sean Shields might not sit right with everyone
and he does have a very distinct voice, and I needed many spins before I got
used to his style.
I feel they
fall into the category, which bands like Power of Omens, Magnitude Nine and
Redemption belongs to, household names to a few, unknown to so many... First
class progressive metal done by outstanding musicians, ignored by the masses...
Something I hope won't happen to Halcyon Way because they certainly
deserve all the attention they can get. Best moments on the album are: "A
Manifesto for Domination", "Powderburn" and "The Lonely Road", but this a very
even and balanced album which should appeal to most progressive metal fans.
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Tuesday, September 29, 2009
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Halcyon Way: A Manifesto For Domination
Atlanta,
Georgia based Halcyon Way on this their debut disc proves that there is
still hope for metal! Combining the technical prowess of bands such as
Symphony X with the thrash and crash of a Metallica, these guys forge a
new sound that is extremely habit forming.
Now for the bad news, it has recently been announced that the band
has parted ways with lead singer Sean Shields. It is yet to be seen if
this change is going to be a detriment to the group as his contribution
to this disc is a large part of the appeal. He has been replaced with
Steven Braun from the group Ashent and we will have to see just what
impact this change will have on them.
No matter what happens in the future, A Manifesto For Domination
will stand as a great example of the power of prog metal. The band has
created a diabolical combination of melody, power and epic metal that
is a winning combination no matter how you look at it.
There is also a darkness to this disc that gives a gothic feel to
the overall album. This heaviness is something that shows up more as an
attitude in such songs as "Physician, Heal Thyself" or "The Lonely
Road" where just a hint of keyboards give a mystic quality to the song.
If you think of how Dio used keys to turn things up a notch you will
understand what I am getting at. Of course, lead guitarist Jon Bodan
and rhythm player Zane Matthews has something to say about this too.
They are a tight pair that delivers a metal message to the masses. This
along with the vocal gymnastics of Shields makes this disc one that
needs to be added to your collection.
You wonder what happens when a band changes lead singers. There is
no doubt that a group is defined by their front man. I just hope that
their change is not a detriment to the quality of these guys in the
future. But any thoughts would be just speculation and for the present,
Halcyon Way has given us a true gem of a debut album. Just go get it,
you will not be disappointed.
Track listing:
1. Intro
2. Manifesto For Domination
3. Blind Eye To The Sky
4. The Hidden
5. Disconnected
6. Deliver The Suffering
7. Powderburn
8. A Thousand Points of Night
9. Communicate With The Violence
10. I Fought The World
11. The Lonely Road
12. Physician, Heal Thyself
Added: September 27th 2009 Reviewer: Scott WardScore:   Related Link: Band's Official PageHits: 57 Language: english Link To The Review
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Wednesday, September 09, 2009
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..
..
..
..
..
..
....
9-9-2009
For Immediate Release
....
The Atlanta, GA based progressive metal band Halcyon Way has
parted ways with singer Sean Shields due to creative differences.
....
Taking over on vocals for the Nightmare Records recording
artist is Steve Braun, known for his work with Italian progressive-metallers
ASHENT, who have released two records via Lion Music.
....
“I’m really excited and humbled by the opportunity to jam
with these guys, and I’m looking forward to help take the band to the next
level on the new record,” said Steve.
....
“We’re very excited about having Steve in the band, he’s got
a fantastic voice and will have no trouble whatsoever with the older songs,
he’s adding a lot of new life to the material for the new album, and he’s a
professional in every sense of the
word - he’s got a great attitude, and our fans will be thrilled with our
choice. The new album is going to
be crushing and it will be a great way for Steve to introduce himself to our
fans,” said guitarist Zane Matthews.
....
Halcyon Way are currently tracking the follow up to “A
Manifesto For Domination”, which is tentatively scheduled for release in Spring
2010. The album is being produced
by Jon Bodan & Lasse Lammert, and the drums are being engineered by Mike
Froedge (DOUBLEDRIVE, BLOODSIMPLE, DIXIE INCORPORATED) at Open Sky Studios in
Atlanta, GA. The band also just
completed tracking a guest appearance by Pamela Moore of QUEENSRYCHE fame.
....
The band will not miss any scheduled shows due to the move,
and is scheduled to play at Pathfinder Metalfest on October 24, 2009 with ASKA,
TWISTED TOWER DIRE, and many other acts.
Halcyon Way has appeared at Rocklahoma on three occasions, Nightmare
Metal Festival II, and at ProgPower USA twice, as well as having shared the
stage with HELLOWEEN, STRAPPING YOUNG LAD, KAMELOT, SYMPHONY X, DORO PESCH, and
many others.
....
Halcyon Way released their debut record, “A Manifesto For
Domination” on Nightmare Records on November 11, 2008 to rave critical
reviews. The album was produced by
guitarist Jon Bodan with assistance from James Murphy (TESTAMENT, DEATH,
OBITUARY), and was mixed by Lasse Lammert (ALESTORM). It also featured guest appearances from Jonah Weingarten
(PYRAMAZE, AVIAN) and Blaze Pearson (THE SOULS UNREST).
....
For more information, visit www.halcyonway.com or www.myspace.com/halcyonway. For booking, contact mike.clark (at)
halcyonway.com.
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