Music Mondays
It’s inevitable working in a guitar shop that we end up having heated conversations about music.So we decided to take it to the web with Music Mondays. Every Monday someone from our staff is going to write a blog about music – specifically one particular album, artist or song. We’ll be covering anything, from the first albums that inspired us to become musicians to great hidden gems that we feel never got the recognition they deserved. Anyways, enjoy, and be sure to leave your comments and continue the discussion.
ARSIS – A Celebration Of Guilt
I don’t remember when I first discovered Arsis, but from the second I heard the drum intro and sweep-picking riff from “Face of my Innocence” on “A Celebration of Guilt,” I was hooked. The thing about Arsis that I loved (and love) is that they bring the darkness and heavy riffage of Death Metal and throw in catchy-yet-intricate leads and solos that make it completely listenable. Don’t get me wrong – I love me some traditional death metal. But something about front man James Malone’s musicality really stuck out for me in Arsis’ music compared to all other bands doing the “death metal” thing. But Arsis’ musicality isn’t surprising when you consider Malone and original drummer Mike Van Dyne met at Berklee College of Music in Boston.
And the unique blend of styles isn’t surprising, either, when you consider Malone’s influences…
From Wikipedia:
The band’s main composer, singer/guitarist/songwriter James Malone, wrote and performed all the guitar, vocal, and bass work on the first studio album A Celebration of Guilt. He has cited King Diamond, Mercyful Fate, Racer X, Iron Maiden, Emperor, Queensryche, Death, Dimmu Borgir and Dissection as being influential to him.
Something I was really impressed with the first time I saw Arsis – something I guess I hadn’t thought about just listening to the record – was that Malone plays lead and sings throughout every song. And he does it flawlessly. In ’05 I had the opportunity to play a show in Indiana, PA, with Arsis, but unfortunately flooding caused their van to get stuck and they were forced to turn around. A few months later they came back and they definitely lived up to the precision laid down on the recordings.
James Malone is obviously the heart and soul of this band, being the only constant member in their history, using session musicians and fill-ins for the majority of the time. It seems, though, that they have finally gotten their act together and came out with a new release in February of this year titled, “Starve for the Devil.”
Unfortunately, I don’t like their new album or much of their music released since A Celebration of Guilt. The image of the band has changed for the worse, becoming sort of glam-oriented, and the music seems watered down to suit the masses. You still hear Malone’s skilled licks, riffs, and structures, but something’s lacking. I don’t want to call him a sellout, because everyone deserves to make a dime. It’s just too bad the new stuff isn’t really worth my 2 cents. Here’s the first single from the new record:
Maybe it’s satirical and I’ll eat my words. They have a chance to prove me wrong. Arsis is playing The Smiling Moose on June 5th.
http://www.myspace.com/arsis
Jason Cook
