ChaosResolved
09-02-2005, 03:21 PM
As a music reviewer, I often feel like there is more I could be or should be doing for independent acts that are trying to gain access to a larger audience. With my arrival onto Decoy Music, I'll be starting a semi-regular column that features (what I feel are) the best unsigned acts on the planet. Hopefully this aids in opening some of the public's eye towards new music. The first installment formally presents Hundred Year Storm to the world...
After a full summer of touring, Hundred Year Storm marched back into the studio to lay down the foundations of their upcoming full length album. The results are stunning. Shifting away from the post-rock influence of their self-titled EP, Hundred Year Storm refocuses their talent more into the rock arena. While laying down more aggressive foundations to their music, the band further explores the confines of the space rock genre and begs to break it wide open with an instrumental approach that is unparalleled by their contemporaries. Previously, we saw a monumental work of art in 'Pilot's Last Broadcast', showcasing seven minutes of perfectly arranged instrumentation. For their new effort, Hundred Year Storm resurfaces with the space-rock anthem, 'The Golden Record'. This track raises the bar over previous space adventures as soars over the competition with a lush instrumental story building towards that familiar cathartic release with surprises buried along the way. I'd hate to ruin the surprise for those intrigued with conceptual songs, but suffice to say Hundred Year Storm has outdone themselves with 'The Golden Record. Vocalist Bill McCharen really pushes his voice to new levels on the new material. He has traded in his enchanting, whispery voice for a more forceful, rock-oriented tone. Tracks such as 'Crash and Burn' highlight the strength the album, combining a solid hard-rock angle with spacey segues anchored by Bill's newfound vocals.
Simply put, Hundred Year Storm is one of the leading modern rock bands. Taking a multifaceted approach to their craft, the band stitches together layers and layers of influences into a single, precise sound that is totally unique. Lead by dominating instrumentation and supplemented with a talented vocalist, this Texan quartet has fully evolved into the aspiring artists that the debut EP promised them to be. What the future holds for this independent band is uncertain, but what is certain is that their undying dedication to their music and their exhausting touring schedule. For a band working out of their own pockets, they make it far and wide across the United States, slowly building a grassroots network and distributing copies of their art all over the country. Boasting an impressive debut EP and with a monumental debut album on the way, it looks like there's nothing but clear skies for Hundred Year Storm.
Hundred Year Storm offers three new songs this week on PureVolume (http://www.purevolume.com/hundredyearstorm), catching a glimpse into their forward progression before their debut album lands in the spring. We hope that our readers will take the time to delve into this band and spread the word about this emerging artist. Rarely do we see a rock band with such a strong instrumental approach to their craft. Artists like Hundred Year Storm are not something you can afford to miss, as they forcibly push the boundaries of their craft. Never content to settle for the rules laid down by their predecessors, Hundred Year Storm is an unstoppable artistic force. Prepare to weather the storm or be swept away by their rich sound.
Additionally, be sure to catch the band on it's fall tour to experience the full effect of their music (Check their Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/hundredyearstorm) page for an updated schedule):
Fall Tour
September
7- Austin, TX - Red Eyed Fly 101X show
8 - Denton, TX at Andy's, TX
9 - Monroe, La at the blue Monkey
10 - Shereveport, LA at Lil' Joe's
11- tallahassee @ beta bar
12- clearwater @ 688 skatepark
13- orlando @ backbooth
14- Jacksonville, FL at The Pearl
15 – Columbia, SC @ The Hanger
16 - Fayetteville, NC - www.myspace.com/johnjs
17 - Chesapeake, VA - www.myspace.com/relevantconcerts
18 - Harrisonburg, VA at Cups To Go
19 – Fredricksburg, VA The Loft at Fredricks
20 - Asbury Park, NJ at the Saint - www.thesaintnj.com
21- NYC – Arlenes Grocery - arlenesgrocery.net
22- BARD College, Redhook, NY
23- Nausha, NH
24- Batavia, NY @ main street coffee w/ the myriad
25 - Willmington, OH at Joe's Java,
27 –Cleveland, OH with ennui
28 - Pitt. PA at Garfield Artworks
29 – KY -
30- knoxville @ old city java
October
1- Nashville @ rocketown
2 – Memphis, TN
4 - Tupelo, MS
5 – Little Rock, AR
6 – Thiro’s - AR
7 - Houston, TX
8 – Corpus Christi, TX
9 – Corpus Christi, TX
Website: HundredYearStorm.com (http://www.hundredyearstorm.com)
~Jordan Volz
After a full summer of touring, Hundred Year Storm marched back into the studio to lay down the foundations of their upcoming full length album. The results are stunning. Shifting away from the post-rock influence of their self-titled EP, Hundred Year Storm refocuses their talent more into the rock arena. While laying down more aggressive foundations to their music, the band further explores the confines of the space rock genre and begs to break it wide open with an instrumental approach that is unparalleled by their contemporaries. Previously, we saw a monumental work of art in 'Pilot's Last Broadcast', showcasing seven minutes of perfectly arranged instrumentation. For their new effort, Hundred Year Storm resurfaces with the space-rock anthem, 'The Golden Record'. This track raises the bar over previous space adventures as soars over the competition with a lush instrumental story building towards that familiar cathartic release with surprises buried along the way. I'd hate to ruin the surprise for those intrigued with conceptual songs, but suffice to say Hundred Year Storm has outdone themselves with 'The Golden Record. Vocalist Bill McCharen really pushes his voice to new levels on the new material. He has traded in his enchanting, whispery voice for a more forceful, rock-oriented tone. Tracks such as 'Crash and Burn' highlight the strength the album, combining a solid hard-rock angle with spacey segues anchored by Bill's newfound vocals.
Simply put, Hundred Year Storm is one of the leading modern rock bands. Taking a multifaceted approach to their craft, the band stitches together layers and layers of influences into a single, precise sound that is totally unique. Lead by dominating instrumentation and supplemented with a talented vocalist, this Texan quartet has fully evolved into the aspiring artists that the debut EP promised them to be. What the future holds for this independent band is uncertain, but what is certain is that their undying dedication to their music and their exhausting touring schedule. For a band working out of their own pockets, they make it far and wide across the United States, slowly building a grassroots network and distributing copies of their art all over the country. Boasting an impressive debut EP and with a monumental debut album on the way, it looks like there's nothing but clear skies for Hundred Year Storm.
Hundred Year Storm offers three new songs this week on PureVolume (http://www.purevolume.com/hundredyearstorm), catching a glimpse into their forward progression before their debut album lands in the spring. We hope that our readers will take the time to delve into this band and spread the word about this emerging artist. Rarely do we see a rock band with such a strong instrumental approach to their craft. Artists like Hundred Year Storm are not something you can afford to miss, as they forcibly push the boundaries of their craft. Never content to settle for the rules laid down by their predecessors, Hundred Year Storm is an unstoppable artistic force. Prepare to weather the storm or be swept away by their rich sound.
Additionally, be sure to catch the band on it's fall tour to experience the full effect of their music (Check their Myspace (http://www.myspace.com/hundredyearstorm) page for an updated schedule):
Fall Tour
September
7- Austin, TX - Red Eyed Fly 101X show
8 - Denton, TX at Andy's, TX
9 - Monroe, La at the blue Monkey
10 - Shereveport, LA at Lil' Joe's
11- tallahassee @ beta bar
12- clearwater @ 688 skatepark
13- orlando @ backbooth
14- Jacksonville, FL at The Pearl
15 – Columbia, SC @ The Hanger
16 - Fayetteville, NC - www.myspace.com/johnjs
17 - Chesapeake, VA - www.myspace.com/relevantconcerts
18 - Harrisonburg, VA at Cups To Go
19 – Fredricksburg, VA The Loft at Fredricks
20 - Asbury Park, NJ at the Saint - www.thesaintnj.com
21- NYC – Arlenes Grocery - arlenesgrocery.net
22- BARD College, Redhook, NY
23- Nausha, NH
24- Batavia, NY @ main street coffee w/ the myriad
25 - Willmington, OH at Joe's Java,
27 –Cleveland, OH with ennui
28 - Pitt. PA at Garfield Artworks
29 – KY -
30- knoxville @ old city java
October
1- Nashville @ rocketown
2 – Memphis, TN
4 - Tupelo, MS
5 – Little Rock, AR
6 – Thiro’s - AR
7 - Houston, TX
8 – Corpus Christi, TX
9 – Corpus Christi, TX
Website: HundredYearStorm.com (http://www.hundredyearstorm.com)
~Jordan Volz