365 Days of Metal: Turn Up The Volume

Day 70

Volumes - Via

Band Origin: Los Angeles, California, USA

Genre: Groove Metal / Metalcore / Progressive

Label: Mediaskare Records

Running Time: 50 minutes

Release Date: September 27, 2011

Best Part: Dat groove - it's everywhere. The return of Wormholes and Intake, and of course The Columbian Faction.

Favorite Tracks: Intake, The Columbian Faction, Wormholes, Serenity, Edge of the Earth, and Affirmation of Ascension

Grade: 5

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Via in 20ish words or less:

The debut record from this heavy, groovy and technical outfit from LA takes the core from their first EP and adds on another layer of style and groove.

The Band:

Volumes is a five piece metal outfit out of Los Angeles that takes their core of groove metal and fuses it together with elements of technical and experimental metal, and hardcore. Their sound can be best described as a layering of different styles, as each member comes from different musical backgrounds - whether it be jazz, post-rock, rap or metal. Their use of dual vocalists also creates yet another layer on top of their groovy, technical and heavy approach. The band was signed to Mediaskare records in late 2010 and simultaneously released their debut EP in November, garnering a sizable amount of attention, opting to head straight to the studio to record their debut LP for release this year.

Volumes previous release was their EP The Concept of Dreaming released in 2010.

Jay's Take on Via:

The Concept of Dreaming was one of my favorite EP's from last year, from yet another band that I had discovered from relative obscurity, but also with a little help from my delving into the 'djent' movement. Via is simply put a great continuation and step forward for the band, who have taken the same approach as with their EP and built upon it, creating one of the grooviest and inspired records of the year. The layered dual vocals was one of the factors that stuck out most for me when I first encountered the band. While dual vocalists are far from a rarity, it's not a trait that all bands are able to execute to its fullest potential, something that Volumes has no problem doing. It adds an extra dimension to a band that incorporates an already interesting layering of styles, that includes bone crushing grooves, melodic clean guitar passages and technical riffage, with just the right smattering of effects and keyboard thrown in at every turn. The transition work throughout the album is also tight, and where required seamless, such as between the instrumental interlude Reversion and the track Serenity. And returning from The Concept of Dreaming are the re-recorded tracks Wormholes and Intake which are a very welcome addition to the 10 new tracks by the band, adding a fresh helping of nostalgia for fans.

Sample of the Day:

Two-fer Tuesday! 





- J