Jump to content

User:Fezmar9/sandbox3: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
Line 1: Line 1:
==Writing and recording==
{{Quote box
| quote = "For a very long time, we've wanted to do a collaboration album where we could include people we're close with or friends with and who we gel with musically and socially. Now, we did that and it's pretty seamless. [''Axe to Fall''] doesn't feel like a big rock record where the guest vocalists come out and a spotlight is being thrown on them. It's much more involved than that. It's much more refined."
| source = [[Jacob Bannon]] interview with ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''<ref name="spin interview">{{cite web| last = Marchese| first = David| title = Q&A: Converge's Jacob Bannon | publisher = ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]''| date = September 9, 2009| url = http://www.spin.com/articles/qa-converges-jacob-bannon| accessdate = September 15, 2009}}</ref>
| width = 20%
| align = left
}}

Converge began writing ''Axe to Fall'' in November 2008.<ref>{{cite web| last = Shultz| first = Brian| title = Converge writing, planning new album for 2009| publisher = ''[[Alternative Press]]''| date = November 22, 2008| url = http://altpress.com/news/5149.htm| accessdate = September 15, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = Converge Writing New Album| publisher = Aversion| date = November 24, 2008| url = http://www.aversion.com/news/news_article.cfm?news_id=11777| accessdate = September 15, 2009}}</ref> Following a short tour in March 2009 with Ceremony, [[Coliseum (band)|Coliseum]], [[Pulling Teeth (band)|Pulling Teeth]], [[Rise and Fall (band)|Rise and Fall]], Converge entered the studio to begin recording in May 2009.<ref>{{cite web| last = Shultz| first = Brian| title = Converge / Ceremony / Coliseum / Rise And Fall / Pulling Teeth tour announced| publisher = ''[[Alternative Press]]''| date = January 25, 2009| url = http://altpress.com/news/5749.htm| accessdate = September 15, 2009}}</ref> During this short tour, the band debuted a few new songs live, and footage could be seen online.<ref name="blab"/><ref>{{cite web| last = Rosenberg| first = Axl| title = New Converge songs! New Converge songs! New Converge songs!| publisher = MetalSucks| date = March 31, 2009| url = http://www.metalsucks.net/2009/03/31/new-converge-songs-new-converge-songs-new-converge-songs/| accessdate = September 15, 2009}}</ref>

The album was self-produced by Converge's guitar player, [[Kurt Ballou]], in his own Godcity studios located in [[Massachusetts]].<ref name="blab">{{cite web| title = CONVERGE: New Song Available For Streaming| publisher = [[Blabbermouth.net]]| date = August 18, 2009| url = http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/BLABBERMOUTH.net/news.aspx?mode=Article&newsitemID=125466| accessdate = September 15, 2009}}</ref> Ballou has produced and co-produced several Converge albums (including 2001's ''[[Jane Doe (album)|Jane Doe]]'', 2004's ''[[You Fail Me]]'' and 2006's ''[[No Heroes]]'') in addition to a number of independent metal and hardcore bands (including [[Genghis Tron]]'s ''[[Board Up the House]]'', [[Torche]]'s ''[[Meanderthal]]'' and [[Disfear]]'s ''[[Live the Storm]]'').<ref name="stereogum">{{cite web| title = New Converge - 'Dark Horse'| publisher = [[Stereogum]]| date = August 25, 2009| url = http://stereogum.com/archives/mp3/new-converge-dark-horse_086071.html| accessdate = September 15, 2009}}</ref> Throughout the recording process, the band updated their fans via [[Twitter]] of their progress in the studio.<ref>{{cite web| last = Tate| first = Jason| title = Converge Twitter About New Album| publisher = [[AbsolutePunk]]| date = April 29, 2009| url = http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=1027032| accessdate = September 15, 2009}}</ref>

===Guest collaboration===
While creating ''Axe to Fall'', Converge tried to challenge themselves creatively as artists. Ballou stated that with each new Converge album, he "always [wants] to create a new listening experience" and continued with the concept of "pushing [themselves] forward and not repeating [themselves]."<ref name="noisecreep">{{cite web| last = Wiederhorn| first = Jon| title = Converge 'Dark Horse' Track Teases a New Progressive Direction| publisher = Noise Creep| date = August 19, 2009| url = http://www.noisecreep.com/2009/08/18/converge-dark-horse-track-teases-a-new-progressive-direction/| accessdate = September 15, 2009}}</ref> Lead singer [[Jacob Bannon]] stated, "We appreciate our past albums, but we're very much about forward movement and challenging ourselves musically and expressing ourselves emotionally."<ref name="spin interview"/> Bannon has stated that he felt that the main artistic difference between ''Axe to Fall'' and previous albums was the large number of guest musicians included on the record. ''Axe to Fall'' features various members from [[Cave In]], [[Neurosis (band)|Neurosis]], and Genghis Tron among others. Most of the guest musicians already had an existing relationship with one or more band members of Converge prior to recording, or the band had "admired in some way."<ref name="rocksound1">{{cite web| title = Interview with Converge| publisher = ''[[Rock Sound]]''| url = http://www.rocksound.tv/features/article/converge| accessdate = September 26, 2009}}</ref> Converge had previously thought of the idea of creating a collaborative album with many guest artists for a number of years, but the band felt that the "time to execute it [had] never been there."<ref name="rocksound1"/> Bannon has stated that working with a number of different artists was difficult and something the band was not used to, however the finished product was "an extremely focused album."<ref name="rocksound1"/>

==Style and theme==
==Style and theme==
{{Quote box
{{Quote box
Line 9: Line 24:
trashy, introverted and don't look outside for influences, vocals, no auto tune, metal pink floyd - new times
trashy, introverted and don't look outside for influences, vocals, no auto tune, metal pink floyd - new times
mathcore - new york press
mathcore - new york press



'''music'''
'''music'''
Converge took their music in a more [[progressive rock|progressive]] direction with ''Axe to Fall''. Ballou noted that drummer Ben Koller had been listening to more progressive rock over the last few years, and that he tried to complement this sound on the guitar. He went on to say that he was getting the "more straightforward, raw punk aggression out in a yet-to be named hardcore side project that I started. So that leaves me free to get weird and progressive with Converge."<ref name="stereogum"/> Ballou considers the band's previous three albums (''Jane Doe'', ''You Fail Me'' and ''No Heroes'') to be a [[trilogy]] in regards to their sound, and hoped to push their musical boundaries on ''Axe to Fall''.<ref name="farris">{{cite web| last = Ferris| first = D.X.| title = Axe to Grind – Hardcore heroes Converge unleash metallic new album| publisher = ''[[Cleveland Scene]]''| date = October 14, 2009| url = http://www.clevescene.com/cleveland/axe-to-grind/Content?oid=1678531| accessdate = October 14, 2009}}</ref> The tracks on the album have been noted to range from "drone-and-pummel" to atmospheric. Bannon believes this album is "not about being as loud and vicious as possible."<ref>{{cite web| last = Ortenzi| first = Rob| title = UP & AUTUMN: The AP 2009 Fall Preview -- DISCS| publisher = ''[[Alternative Press]]''| date = August 3, 2009| url = http://altpress.com/features/Fall_09_DISCS.htm| accessdate = September 26, 2009}}</ref> Feeling that 40–50 minutes of metallic hardcore can be difficult to listen to for some, Converge used softer tracks, or "slow jams," such as "Damages" and "Wretched World" to take the listener "to some other places."<ref name="farris"/>

*"When people say we don't sound like a hardcore band, that musically we've grown beyond it, I think that maybe that's what a hardcore band should be doing. Maybe a hardcore band should be trying to progress. But at the same time, what I love about hardcore is that a 13-year-old kid can pick up a guitar, start a band with his friend and record a tape on a boombox in his garage that could still have that energy. It could still be awesome."<ref name="acutabove"/>
*"When people say we don't sound like a hardcore band, that musically we've grown beyond it, I think that maybe that's what a hardcore band should be doing. Maybe a hardcore band should be trying to progress. But at the same time, what I love about hardcore is that a 13-year-old kid can pick up a guitar, start a band with his friend and record a tape on a boombox in his garage that could still have that energy. It could still be awesome."<ref name="acutabove"/>


Revision as of 18:34, 13 December 2009

Writing and recording

"For a very long time, we've wanted to do a collaboration album where we could include people we're close with or friends with and who we gel with musically and socially. Now, we did that and it's pretty seamless. [Axe to Fall] doesn't feel like a big rock record where the guest vocalists come out and a spotlight is being thrown on them. It's much more involved than that. It's much more refined."

Jacob Bannon interview with Spin[1]

Converge began writing Axe to Fall in November 2008.[2][3] Following a short tour in March 2009 with Ceremony, Coliseum, Pulling Teeth, Rise and Fall, Converge entered the studio to begin recording in May 2009.[4] During this short tour, the band debuted a few new songs live, and footage could be seen online.[5][6]

The album was self-produced by Converge's guitar player, Kurt Ballou, in his own Godcity studios located in Massachusetts.[5] Ballou has produced and co-produced several Converge albums (including 2001's Jane Doe, 2004's You Fail Me and 2006's No Heroes) in addition to a number of independent metal and hardcore bands (including Genghis Tron's Board Up the House, Torche's Meanderthal and Disfear's Live the Storm).[7] Throughout the recording process, the band updated their fans via Twitter of their progress in the studio.[8]

Guest collaboration

While creating Axe to Fall, Converge tried to challenge themselves creatively as artists. Ballou stated that with each new Converge album, he "always [wants] to create a new listening experience" and continued with the concept of "pushing [themselves] forward and not repeating [themselves]."[9] Lead singer Jacob Bannon stated, "We appreciate our past albums, but we're very much about forward movement and challenging ourselves musically and expressing ourselves emotionally."[1] Bannon has stated that he felt that the main artistic difference between Axe to Fall and previous albums was the large number of guest musicians included on the record. Axe to Fall features various members from Cave In, Neurosis, and Genghis Tron among others. Most of the guest musicians already had an existing relationship with one or more band members of Converge prior to recording, or the band had "admired in some way."[10] Converge had previously thought of the idea of creating a collaborative album with many guest artists for a number of years, but the band felt that the "time to execute it [had] never been there."[10] Bannon has stated that working with a number of different artists was difficult and something the band was not used to, however the finished product was "an extremely focused album."[10]

Style and theme

"Anytime anybody writes a song, that's one less thing that you can do and still be original. You can't come along and write [Black Sabbath's] "Iron Man" today. All the heavy riffs that are that simple are already taken. So, you've gotta find new riffs, and as more of those become taken, there's fewer places to go."

Kurt Ballou interview with Decibel[11]

trashy, introverted and don't look outside for influences, vocals, no auto tune, metal pink floyd - new times mathcore - new york press

music Converge took their music in a more progressive direction with Axe to Fall. Ballou noted that drummer Ben Koller had been listening to more progressive rock over the last few years, and that he tried to complement this sound on the guitar. He went on to say that he was getting the "more straightforward, raw punk aggression out in a yet-to be named hardcore side project that I started. So that leaves me free to get weird and progressive with Converge."[7] Ballou considers the band's previous three albums (Jane Doe, You Fail Me and No Heroes) to be a trilogy in regards to their sound, and hoped to push their musical boundaries on Axe to Fall.[12] The tracks on the album have been noted to range from "drone-and-pummel" to atmospheric. Bannon believes this album is "not about being as loud and vicious as possible."[13] Feeling that 40–50 minutes of metallic hardcore can be difficult to listen to for some, Converge used softer tracks, or "slow jams," such as "Damages" and "Wretched World" to take the listener "to some other places."[12]

  • "When people say we don't sound like a hardcore band, that musically we've grown beyond it, I think that maybe that's what a hardcore band should be doing. Maybe a hardcore band should be trying to progress. But at the same time, what I love about hardcore is that a 13-year-old kid can pick up a guitar, start a band with his friend and record a tape on a boombox in his garage that could still have that energy. It could still be awesome."[11]
  • "And I think the reason we can do that is that what we're putting out there is real. We're not posturing. We're not trying to be hard or tough or fashionable in some way. We're trying to put out real, honest emotion. And that never goes out of style."[11]
  • "After having done four albums with this lineup, it becomes harder and harder not to repeat yourself," Ballou points out. "Sometimes a new perspective is invigorating. So, we wanted to bring in outside influences to help us look at what we do in a different way."[11]

vocals

lyrics

Unlike previous Converge releases, the songs on Axe to Fall don't have a central and consistent lyrical theme throughout the record.[14] Each song was meant to be a "standalone song" about Bannon's life between this album and No Heroes.[15] Bannon has said that he uses his lyrics and Converge to "vent about things in a healthy way so I'm not a person that walks around with a lot of negative energy."[16] The opening track, "Dark Horse," was written about the passing of a close friend of Jacob Bannon, and how he died while trying to succeed as the "underdog".[17][18]

Reception

Critical reception

as is on Axe to Fall

Charts and sales

Axe to Fall debuted at number 74 on the Billboard 200 with 7,400[19] copies sold, becoming Converge's highest charting album in the US to date.[20] It also became the first Converge album to not appear on the Billboard Top Heatseekers albums, which ranks the top 50 albums release by bands that have never charted higher that 100 on the Billboard 200. By November 4, 2009, the album had sold 10,487 units.[19] Axe to Fall also appeared in Canada's Chart Magazine, a weekly chart that complies airplay data from various Canadian campus radio stations, and peaked at number 42 on their "Top 50" album chart[21] at number 1 on their "Metal/Punk" chart.[22]

Accolades

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Axe to Fall's critical acclaim has lead the album has lead the album to be listed on several critic's "Best of 2009" lists, both in the US and internationally. A "–" denotes the publication's list is in no particular order, and Axe to Fall did not rank numerically.

Publication Country Accolade Year Rank
Rock Sound[23] UK Top 75 Albums of 2009 2009 2
Metacritic[24] International The 30 Best-Reviewed Albums of the Year 2009 15
Decibel[25][26] US Top 40 Extreme Albums of 2009 2009 2
NoiseCreep[27] US Top 10 Albums of 2009 2009 –
CMU[28] UK Top 10 Albums of 2009 2009 –
The A.V. Club[29] US The Top 25 Albums of 2009 2009 8
The Skinny[30] Scotland Top 10 Albums of 2009 2009 6

References

  1. ^ a b Marchese, David (September 9, 2009). "Q&A: Converge's Jacob Bannon". Spin. Retrieved September 15, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  2. ^ Shultz, Brian (November 22, 2008). "Converge writing, planning new album for 2009". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 15, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  3. ^ "Converge Writing New Album". Aversion. November 24, 2008. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  4. ^ Shultz, Brian (January 25, 2009). "Converge / Ceremony / Coliseum / Rise And Fall / Pulling Teeth tour announced". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 15, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  5. ^ a b "CONVERGE: New Song Available For Streaming". Blabbermouth.net. August 18, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  6. ^ Rosenberg, Axl (March 31, 2009). "New Converge songs! New Converge songs! New Converge songs!". MetalSucks. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  7. ^ a b "New Converge - 'Dark Horse'". Stereogum. August 25, 2009. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  8. ^ Tate, Jason (April 29, 2009). "Converge Twitter About New Album". AbsolutePunk. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  9. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (August 19, 2009). "Converge 'Dark Horse' Track Teases a New Progressive Direction". Noise Creep. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  10. ^ a b c "Interview with Converge". Rock Sound. Retrieved September 26, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  11. ^ a b c d Bennett, J. (December 2009). "A Cut Above". Decibel (62). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Red Flag Media Inc.: 69–74. ISSN 1557-2137. Retrieved December 1, 2009.
  12. ^ a b Ferris, D.X. (October 14, 2009). "Axe to Grind – Hardcore heroes Converge unleash metallic new album". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved October 14, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  13. ^ Ortenzi, Rob (August 3, 2009). "UP & AUTUMN: The AP 2009 Fall Preview -- DISCS". Alternative Press. Retrieved September 26, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ Castillo, Arielle (October 30, 2009). "Q&A With Converge, Playing With Mastodon and Dethklok November 8". New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Retrieved November 29, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  15. ^ Sutherland, Sam (November 2009). "Aggressive Tendencies: Converge - Axe to Fall". Exclaim!. Retrieved November 29, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  16. ^ Slevin, Patrick (October 22, 2009). "Interview with Jacob Bannon of Converge: Unfelled, Unchanged". The Aquarian Weekly. Retrieved November 23, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ F, Jeanne (October 20, 2009). "Track By Track: Converge's Axe to Fall with J. Bannon". Decibel. Retrieved November 29, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  18. ^ Thomas, Andy (November 18, 2009). "Q&A with Jacob Bannon of Converge". Westword. Retrieved November 29, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ a b "News Bit Archives: Search for Converge". LambGoat. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
  20. ^ "Converge - Chart History - Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ "Full Top 50 Chart: November 15 - November 21, 2009". Chart. Retrieved November 29, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  22. ^ Burland, Chris (November 17, 2009). "You Say Party! We Say Die! Stay At #1 For Fifth Week". Chart. Retrieved November 29, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ "Top 75 Albums of 2009". Rock Sound (130). London: Freeway Press: 28. January 2010. ISSN 1465-0185. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
  24. ^ "Best of 2009". Metacritic. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
  25. ^ "Top 40 Extreme Albums of 2009". Decibel (63). Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Red Flag Media Inc.: ??? January 2010. ISSN 1557-2137. Retrieved November 29, 2009. {{cite journal}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  26. '^ "Decibels Top 40 Albums Of 2009". Stereogum. November 24, 2009. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
  27. ^ Ramirez, Carlos (November 23, 2009). "Top 10 Albums of 2009". NoiseCreep. Retrieved November 29, 2009.
  28. ^ CMU Staff (December 9, 2009). "CMU Albums Of The Year 2009: Converge - Axe To Fall". CMU. Retrieved December 9, 2009.
  29. ^ The A.V. Club Staff (December 9, 2009). "The top 25 albums of 2009". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 9, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  30. ^ Brown, Ally (December 7, 2009). "2009: A Year in Records (#2-10)". The Skinny. Retrieved December 9, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Fezmar9/sandbox3&oldid=331467892"