goodbye underoath. a band as influential for the Kingdom as you have been only comes along once in a great while.
]]>@wolvesatthegate | oh the depths.
WATG has been an up-and-comer to watch since i first saw the music video for “heralds” [link below], blending razor sharp musicianship with VERY well executed post-hardcore screaming/singing. add poignant, worshipful lyrics, and immediately this ohio based 4ish-piece becomes something christian music has really been lacking: heavy worship.
the production and tones are undeniably hard rock influenced, but comfortably balanced with thoughtful lyrics and excellent sharing of vocals between screamer colin jones and vocalist/rhythm guitarist steve cobucci. WATG also features something uncommon in the genre: a thoroughly rock-voiced clean vocalist. no anthony green, no cove reber, no brandon bolmer, no craig owens, no austin carlile. cobucci’s voice forms a rugged and rock-solid vocal foundation, allowing jones to throw out anything in his remarkable range of growl to raging high scream. the pair of vocalists effortlessly trade the primary vocalist duty without estranging the rest of the extremely talented musicians, allowing each member to shine and bring their instrument to the fore. my one complaint is that some of their tracks are a little longwinded, but for the most part the content is so rich that it’s an easy thing to overlook.
it’s been a busy end of the 2011 for WATG, signing with solid state [!] and releasing their first EP, We Are the Ones. I absolutely look forward to what 2012 holds for them. and if you’re reading this, please, please come to seattle.
pick up their first EP on amazon mp3 for $5.99, or in person at hot topic!
wolves at the gate | heralds – http://bit.ly/AcmPvv
honestly, for anyone who ever thought worship can’t sound like anything but hymns or what we hear on sunday, i hope you’ll reconsider. look at the crowd in ‘oh the depths’ anywhere from 4:08 to the end. you can’t say they’re not worshiping together. the reason i look up to people who push christian and worship to new genres is because the next generation needs positive role models, and many of these musicians are in a position to really share Hope with people who desperately need it.
cheers,
anthony
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