Gabriel and the Apocalypse
We were recently contacted by Damon from The Inner Light Agency about the band Gabriel and the Apocalypse who are about to go out on tour with the mighty American Head Charge. Figuring we should seize the chance to get some words from them, they were good enough to get in touch for an interview as well as sending their album through for a review! Read on to find out more!
Interview:
1). Introduce yourselves guys:
Lindy Gabriel: Vocals, Jake LaCore: Guitar, Figgles McGee: Keys/samples, Cody Hoffman: Guitar, Deter Steinkamf: Drums, Mitchell Pattrin: Bass
2). How did you get together?
The band started gigging in the Minneapolis area around 2004. Releasing several demos and recordings. We later added Mitchell, Figgles and Deter then released our first full length album in 2009. We've just added Cody the 2nd guitarist before recording our newest album "new World disAsteR" which we just put out.
3). How would you describe the music which you produce?
Heavy guitar tones, with keyboards and sampling. Female vocals with poetic and thought provoking lyrics. The music has dark tones, but melodic and versatile.
4). Why should people listen to it?
Our new record is a collection of songs that can appeal to a wide range of listeners. We have main stream hooks to all of our tracks, but have an edge that you don't find in a lot of main stream music these days. We feel it's very unique and a breath of fresh air. We pretty much just make music that we like and we would listen to. If people out there like they like it.
5). Finish the sentence – one day as a band we hope to be able to say we have made a difference in the music world, and connected with millions of people on some level.
6). What are your plans for the upcoming year?
We are going out on tour with American Head Charge in October. We just put out a new album "new World disAsteR" we are pushing, we will be spending the next year touring/playing shows to support it.
7). You’ve got Rick from Mushroomhead featured on one of your tracks, how did that come about?
We tied him up and threw him in the back of our van after a Mushroomhead show and brought him to our studio. And that was that!
8). If you could have any band in the world support you, who would it be and why?
Maybe Nine Inch Nails, or Smashing Pumpkins. We've looked up to both groups, Trent Reznor and Billy Corgan both being producers...it would be cool to work with them one day.
9). Who would you say have been your biggest influences on your music?
Definitely not any new bands. Most of us listen to bands that got their start in the 90's or earlier before things started getting really watered down and overly commercial. Depeche Mode, NIN, Deftones, Nirvana, Garbage, PJ Harvey, Manson, Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, ect we could go on forever. Each of us all sort of have different musical preferences.
10). Finally – say something profound to get everyone thinking:
Seduce the gun, pretty as sin, is what we've become
Review:
Here Comes The Crash sets the bar high straight away, opening with an incredible riff underpinned by a solid drum beat and a bass line set right in the middle of the mix – the combination created here is one which will hook you from the start and not let go. As the vocals kick in they firstly catch you off guard against the music but soon work into the melody – the contrasts of insanely heavy backing music and smooth yet somehow raspy female vocals creates a sound which you’re forced to like, you can’t help it. Somehow kicking into a catchy chorus, it’s all very apparent why people are sitting up and taking note of these guys at the moment – they’re on the verge of something pretty special.
Like GoD continues the theme set so far yet somehow begins to make everything very dark. Adopting an almost Marilyn Manson style in the vocals at first, the backing music takes on a chunky and sludgy approach from here in. Bass laden from start to finish there’s an added depth here which really develops this track and makes it sound even bigger than the previous. Rolling drums give a sense of urgency whilst the vocals almost sooth you as the track progresses – this has to be a live anthem in the waiting. As if to create a contrast, Silent War opens much softer than the other tracks, still featuring those soaring guitar lines but slowing them down and making them into something which you can almost sit back and relax to. The change creates a feeling that these guys are producing music which will make you think, make you reflect and make you question things rather than just accepting them. Kicking into another catchy chorus, this track is yet another example of why these guys are about to go out on tour with a big name like AHC – they’ve got the ability to back up the reputation.
Nebula seems to keep the beat slower but this time adds in a syncopated edge, just to make sure you’re still paying full attention. Kicking in with raspy chunky guitars, the sound created here seems almost confused at first but soon enough all falls into place. Once again somehow catchy from when it kicks in, the production on this track gives it an edge which will make you really listen to all of the things which are going on in the track – there’s the guitars, drums, bass, vocals, but listen in behind it all to what’s going on there – the lead lines adopt a whole new approach and further develop the music, backing up the almost spat vocals. Zero and Zero follows on and opens much stranger – electronic sounds building into an electronic beat make you question what’s going on at first – then all of a sudden you’re moved into realisation as the riff kicks in and the track takes form. Powerful drums back the music adopting a syncopated rhythm but maintaining that catchy edge – still keeping things sludgy and crunchy though. The show stealer on this track is the vocals in the chorus section, clean and hitting notes which will stop you in your tracks – this is a track you need to get out there and check out!
Indigo follows on and keeps the same sludgy guitar approach but this time puts in a lead line over it, creating a sound which is massively accessible and easy to listen to. The bass driven main sections really accentuate the vocals and make this a track which echoes hauntingly in your mind. This track is really made by the bass, the other elements all work really well sure, but the bass line steals the show from the outset – as I’ve said before it’s so refreshing to hear a bass line made the main focus of a track. When The World Dissapears carries on the bass heavy rhythms, opening with a descending bass line and pounding drums before kicking into an intermitant riff, all the time keeping the drums pounding away behind the soothing vocals. Once again sounding almost haunting in ways, this is another example of why these guys have been asked to go on tour with such a big band, this track is anthemic. Bringing in the electronic elements once again to further develop the depth of this track, you’ll listen to this one questioning why they’re not touring over here as well.
Pretty Disaster kicks in soon enough, once again keeping the bass lines right there in the mix and backing up the vocals from the outset. Once again keeping the drums relatively simple, the effect is one which makes this a track you need to move to, you can’t help but shift in someway as it’s playing. Bringing in the electronic elements once again to further develop the depth of this track, this is quite possibly my favourite of the selection, sound almost Korn like at times because the bass and guitars work so heavily together – put this on your list of tracks to listen out for. As it fades and The Collapse kicks in, sludgy guitars and a solid drum beat take the lead, creating a much darker and ominous sound than before. Using the vocals to once again back up the music, this track seems to showcase the skills of the band, using all of the instruments at their disposal to create a dark and heavy sound which somehow still comes off as catchy!
Final track New Tomorrow finishes the album leaving you with no doubt that what you’ve just heard is a band who are destined to big things. Opening with electronic effects once again, the track takes a while to become fully formed, slowly building up creating a sense that there is something dark coming, something ominous. Continuing with the electronic beats behind the vocals, this track is dark and almost desolate sounding, there’s so little going on yet somehow, the track is incredibly effective. Picking up the pace and bringing in differing levels of vocals towards the end of the track, this finishes the album and leaves you with the realisation that this is a band who can not only produce rip roaring rock music, but keep things simple and produce electronicly tinged music which will haunt you for days to come.
Touring with America Headcharge is a pretty big feat for a band just setting out on their main journey in music. Gabriel and the Apocalypse are a band on the verge of breaking, on the verge of producing something pretty epic, and I for one am looking forward to hearing what they do next.
To find out more about Gabriel and The Apocalypse, check out their Facebook page HERE.
Interview:
1). Introduce yourselves guys:
Lindy Gabriel: Vocals, Jake LaCore: Guitar, Figgles McGee: Keys/samples, Cody Hoffman: Guitar, Deter Steinkamf: Drums, Mitchell Pattrin: Bass
2). How did you get together?
The band started gigging in the Minneapolis area around 2004. Releasing several demos and recordings. We later added Mitchell, Figgles and Deter then released our first full length album in 2009. We've just added Cody the 2nd guitarist before recording our newest album "new World disAsteR" which we just put out.
3). How would you describe the music which you produce?
Heavy guitar tones, with keyboards and sampling. Female vocals with poetic and thought provoking lyrics. The music has dark tones, but melodic and versatile.
4). Why should people listen to it?
Our new record is a collection of songs that can appeal to a wide range of listeners. We have main stream hooks to all of our tracks, but have an edge that you don't find in a lot of main stream music these days. We feel it's very unique and a breath of fresh air. We pretty much just make music that we like and we would listen to. If people out there like they like it.
5). Finish the sentence – one day as a band we hope to be able to say we have made a difference in the music world, and connected with millions of people on some level.
6). What are your plans for the upcoming year?
We are going out on tour with American Head Charge in October. We just put out a new album "new World disAsteR" we are pushing, we will be spending the next year touring/playing shows to support it.
7). You’ve got Rick from Mushroomhead featured on one of your tracks, how did that come about?
We tied him up and threw him in the back of our van after a Mushroomhead show and brought him to our studio. And that was that!
8). If you could have any band in the world support you, who would it be and why?
Maybe Nine Inch Nails, or Smashing Pumpkins. We've looked up to both groups, Trent Reznor and Billy Corgan both being producers...it would be cool to work with them one day.
9). Who would you say have been your biggest influences on your music?
Definitely not any new bands. Most of us listen to bands that got their start in the 90's or earlier before things started getting really watered down and overly commercial. Depeche Mode, NIN, Deftones, Nirvana, Garbage, PJ Harvey, Manson, Tool, Smashing Pumpkins, ect we could go on forever. Each of us all sort of have different musical preferences.
10). Finally – say something profound to get everyone thinking:
Seduce the gun, pretty as sin, is what we've become
Review:
Here Comes The Crash sets the bar high straight away, opening with an incredible riff underpinned by a solid drum beat and a bass line set right in the middle of the mix – the combination created here is one which will hook you from the start and not let go. As the vocals kick in they firstly catch you off guard against the music but soon work into the melody – the contrasts of insanely heavy backing music and smooth yet somehow raspy female vocals creates a sound which you’re forced to like, you can’t help it. Somehow kicking into a catchy chorus, it’s all very apparent why people are sitting up and taking note of these guys at the moment – they’re on the verge of something pretty special.
Like GoD continues the theme set so far yet somehow begins to make everything very dark. Adopting an almost Marilyn Manson style in the vocals at first, the backing music takes on a chunky and sludgy approach from here in. Bass laden from start to finish there’s an added depth here which really develops this track and makes it sound even bigger than the previous. Rolling drums give a sense of urgency whilst the vocals almost sooth you as the track progresses – this has to be a live anthem in the waiting. As if to create a contrast, Silent War opens much softer than the other tracks, still featuring those soaring guitar lines but slowing them down and making them into something which you can almost sit back and relax to. The change creates a feeling that these guys are producing music which will make you think, make you reflect and make you question things rather than just accepting them. Kicking into another catchy chorus, this track is yet another example of why these guys are about to go out on tour with a big name like AHC – they’ve got the ability to back up the reputation.
Nebula seems to keep the beat slower but this time adds in a syncopated edge, just to make sure you’re still paying full attention. Kicking in with raspy chunky guitars, the sound created here seems almost confused at first but soon enough all falls into place. Once again somehow catchy from when it kicks in, the production on this track gives it an edge which will make you really listen to all of the things which are going on in the track – there’s the guitars, drums, bass, vocals, but listen in behind it all to what’s going on there – the lead lines adopt a whole new approach and further develop the music, backing up the almost spat vocals. Zero and Zero follows on and opens much stranger – electronic sounds building into an electronic beat make you question what’s going on at first – then all of a sudden you’re moved into realisation as the riff kicks in and the track takes form. Powerful drums back the music adopting a syncopated rhythm but maintaining that catchy edge – still keeping things sludgy and crunchy though. The show stealer on this track is the vocals in the chorus section, clean and hitting notes which will stop you in your tracks – this is a track you need to get out there and check out!
Indigo follows on and keeps the same sludgy guitar approach but this time puts in a lead line over it, creating a sound which is massively accessible and easy to listen to. The bass driven main sections really accentuate the vocals and make this a track which echoes hauntingly in your mind. This track is really made by the bass, the other elements all work really well sure, but the bass line steals the show from the outset – as I’ve said before it’s so refreshing to hear a bass line made the main focus of a track. When The World Dissapears carries on the bass heavy rhythms, opening with a descending bass line and pounding drums before kicking into an intermitant riff, all the time keeping the drums pounding away behind the soothing vocals. Once again sounding almost haunting in ways, this is another example of why these guys have been asked to go on tour with such a big band, this track is anthemic. Bringing in the electronic elements once again to further develop the depth of this track, you’ll listen to this one questioning why they’re not touring over here as well.
Pretty Disaster kicks in soon enough, once again keeping the bass lines right there in the mix and backing up the vocals from the outset. Once again keeping the drums relatively simple, the effect is one which makes this a track you need to move to, you can’t help but shift in someway as it’s playing. Bringing in the electronic elements once again to further develop the depth of this track, this is quite possibly my favourite of the selection, sound almost Korn like at times because the bass and guitars work so heavily together – put this on your list of tracks to listen out for. As it fades and The Collapse kicks in, sludgy guitars and a solid drum beat take the lead, creating a much darker and ominous sound than before. Using the vocals to once again back up the music, this track seems to showcase the skills of the band, using all of the instruments at their disposal to create a dark and heavy sound which somehow still comes off as catchy!
Final track New Tomorrow finishes the album leaving you with no doubt that what you’ve just heard is a band who are destined to big things. Opening with electronic effects once again, the track takes a while to become fully formed, slowly building up creating a sense that there is something dark coming, something ominous. Continuing with the electronic beats behind the vocals, this track is dark and almost desolate sounding, there’s so little going on yet somehow, the track is incredibly effective. Picking up the pace and bringing in differing levels of vocals towards the end of the track, this finishes the album and leaves you with the realisation that this is a band who can not only produce rip roaring rock music, but keep things simple and produce electronicly tinged music which will haunt you for days to come.
Touring with America Headcharge is a pretty big feat for a band just setting out on their main journey in music. Gabriel and the Apocalypse are a band on the verge of breaking, on the verge of producing something pretty epic, and I for one am looking forward to hearing what they do next.
To find out more about Gabriel and The Apocalypse, check out their Facebook page HERE.